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Sir Clarius smiles at the sight of the beautiful woman. He quickens his step and takes her hand. Looking around to ensure they are truly alone , he draws her to him, lifting her chin in his hand and lightly touching his lips to hers. 'If your favour marks the trail to your heart, I will fight all challengers to possess it. How and when you choose to favour me is up to you; here in this rare moment of privacy or publicly at the sword ring.'
Pushing the hair back from his brow, Aydan shrugs his cloak off and lets it fall to the ground. One after another he draws his arrow back and lets fly, one after the other, and one by one they sink themselves into the center of the target. Aydan rests his bow along his shoulder and took a step back to let his next opponent have their turn.
Unable to keep the smile from his face as he steps up to line for the second round... a smile that faded when his shot sunk into the outer ring. He took a steadying breath and fired his second shot, sinking it straight into the targets center.
They got harder each time, his muscles burned and he could feel himself start to shake, missing his next shot before hitting another bullseye.
He took a breath, he needed to hit this last shot dead on to keep himself in the competition. Another breath, his eye focusing on the center and let his arrow fly...
... and missed.
He let out a sigh, his eyes closing, his teeth clenched, and then he let it go, and turned back to the other competitors,saying with a smile, "And thus, I am unhorsed."
Sir Jaymin is there on hand to offer the blessings of Kurgess and moral support to his friend.
"The blessings of Kurgess on you. Let it be a fair and chivilrous duel. And with that said, Garrett, kick his a$%!!"
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For a brief moment Viscount Geoffrey seems to hover between confusion and outrage at Zurladew's act... but that dark expression quickly fades as the Viscount's easy laugh rings out to join those of the spectators as the jester proceeds with his humourous (and successfully diverting...) tale...
Meanwhile...
Ailith seems a little startled by Clarius's kiss... but quickly melts in his manly embrace...
... Finally breaking the kiss, Lady Ailith takes a step back from Clarius, colour rising to her cheeks as she turns her face away,
'You are emboldened this morning, good Sir knight,' she observes, somewhat out of breath, 'I...' she hesitates a moment, then continues, '... I cannot say that I disapprove, for mine own reaction would brand me a liar, but... for all your claims of our privacy, I would much prefer to meet in circumstance where interruption wasn't threatening at any moment... if, perhaps, you knew of such a place then...' she stops and shakes her head, '... but now it is I who prove too bold! I shall say no more, lest I distract you from your knightly pursuits this day.'
Turning back to face Clarius, Lady Ailith smiles, her fingers running from his chest, up his neck, to his face. For a moment she simply remains touching him, then holds forth a scarf of dark blue silk,
'If you would, my Lord, I would have you wear my favour as you make your sport - even if I cannot see your achievements this day, I would be happy knowing that others see my support for you as you do battle.'
At the archery contest...
Watching Aydan shoot, Lady Rebecca claps excitedly as he hits the target so well in the first round, then holds her breath as his shots fall short of the mark after the butts are moved back another hundred feet. Sighing, she shakes her head, then glances once more towards the sword rings,
'We must make haste to witness the opening duel,' she declares, then turns back towards Aydan, 'but we shouldn't fail to commiserate our gallant forester...' with a mischevious glint in her amber eyes she looks to Lady Alaina, '... If you would be so kind as to wish our Aydan well, Alaina,' she suggests, 'Beatrix and I will hurry to the sword rings for my more formal duty.'
With that, Lady Rebecca hurries on her way.
Slipping into her seat just as Zurladew's story comes to a conclusion, her movements mostly ignored by a crowd caught up in the fun of the jester's tale, Lady Rebecca manages to look the very picture of nobility as the laughter dies down and the duel once more seems ready to commence.
"Ready when you are m'lord"
Viscount Geoffrey grins, bows low to the Baron, Baroness, and Lady Rebecca (forgetting any speech he may have prepared), before turning back towards Garrett, dropping his visor, and adopting a wary stance, shield and mace at the ready.
At a signal from the Baron, the trumpets sound again, and the duel is on! Shouts of encouragement and derision both erupt from the gathered crowd, including Jaymin's...
"The blessings of Kurgess on you. Let it be a fair and chivilrous duel. And with that said, Garrett, kick his a$%!!"
As the combatants begin circling, Baron Otto catches Zurladew's eye just long enough to give a brief nod of thanks. Meanwhile Lady Melisende, eyes drawn to Jaymin at his shout, allows a smile to spread across her lips,
'There may be something to the worship of this Kurgess,' she comments, to no one in particular, 'if the faith produces such forward and... well proportioned... young men...'
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'You are emboldened this morning, good Sir knight,' she observes, somewhat out of breath, 'I...' she hesitates a moment, then continues, '... I cannot say that I disapprove, for mine own reaction would brand me a liar, but... for all your claims of our privacy, I would much prefer to meet in circumstance where interruption wasn't threatening at any moment... if, perhaps, you knew of such a place then...' she stops and shakes her head, '... but now it is I who prove too bold! I shall say no more, lest I distract you from your knightly pursuits this day.'
'If you would, my Lord, I would have you wear my favour as you make your sport - even if I cannot see your achievements this day, I would be happy knowing that others see my support for you as you do battle.'
Guiding her hand to his arm, Clarius lets Ailith affix her favour. 'I am honoured that you find me worthy of your favour, milady.' Brushing her cheek with his hand, he says, 'Today I am beholden to the lists, however; tonight I worship at the feet of Shelyn's envy. I will secure us a private place.'
Placing her hand in the crook of his arm, Sir Clarius begins walking with Lady Ailith to the tourney grounds. 'If we hurry, we may yet witness your guardian's first duel of the day.'
Beatrix scurries along after Rebecca and takes her own position, careful to stay safely out of the Baroness' line of vision.
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Zurladew bows at Baron Otto's gaze, grinning as if to say 'my pleasure.' At Lady Melisande's comment, his eyes twinkle. He sidles close, so that only she may hear him.
"Since we already have one wager on the table, I propose a second in the spirit of competition, for right now I stand to lose my status as a jester, while all you stand to lose are some unnamed prize. To appease both Kurgess and Asmodeus, the rules of competition are as these: If you coax our good knight with only your feminine wiles, with no magic involved, and I am unable to bring Sir Thibault to laughter, then you take my marcotte, for surely no jester would I be if I couldn't read my audience..." he gestures to Jaymin, "...or amuse them. If I win, with Sir Jaymin staying chaste and slaying Thibault's stony facade with my wit, then I receive your slip, that halfling slave. And if we split, then we shake hands as fair competitors. Your womanly skills versus my jester's mind. What say you?"
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After a few tense moments of the combatants circling each other, Sir Garrett suddenly lunges! There are gasps from the Ladies present, and cheers from the men-folk, as the Redwyrm knight's mace rings a clear blow off the side of the Viscount's great helm! Even as a page rushes to raise Garrett's first flag, Lord Geoffery spins out of the hit with a powerful backhanded blow of his own... which Garrett manages to catch on his shield, even though the force of the impact threatens to jar his arm!
Pacing back a step or two, Geoffrey's laughter can be heard from under his helm,
'Well struck, young Garrett! Well struck!' he praises his opponent... although doesn't let his guard down whilst doing so...
Meanwhile...
'I am honoured that you find me worthy of your favour, milady... Today I am beholden to the lists, however; tonight I worship at the feet of Shelyn's envy. I will secure us a private place.'
'Ah, my fine warrior-poet!' exclaims Ailith, turning her face into Clarius's touch as she secures her favour about his bicep, a smile playing upon her inviting lips.
'If we hurry, we may yet witness your guardian's first duel of the day.'
''Tis mostly just noise to me...' Lady Ailith admits, even as she walks with Clarius, but quickly adds, '... although I've not had the thrill of mine own champion before - it will be quite the experience, I'm sure!'
As Clarius escorts Ailith towards the sword rings, he notes Sir Gervase storm out of the tent where he heard raised voices earlier - his mood apparantly fouled by the conversation...
Back at the sword rings...
Lady Rebecca winces as Garrett's blow lands, then gasps a little, fingers unconsciously moving to her lips as the Viscount strikes, but Garrett fends off the blow. Leaning a little towards Beatrix she observes,
'It's so brutal... yet... somehow... exciting as well...'
Lady Melisende's glances towards Rebecca as she overhears the comment, her wicked smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, but refrains from comment, instead leaning close to Zurladew to hear the jester's whispered words, and to reply in kind...
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Sir Clarius nods in acknowledgement of his peer when he sees Sir Gervase exit his tent. 'That's odd.' He says after the viscount's retainer passes them. 'Sir Gervase was in such high spirits this morning when Lady Beatrix graced him with her favour.'
Wait a minute! Is he still wearing it?
I'm sure he was.
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Lady Melisende's glances towards Rebecca as she overhears the comment, her wicked smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, but refrains from comment, instead leaning close to Zurladew to hear the jester's whispered words, and to reply in kind...
*Spoiler Omitted*
Zurladew shakes his head at the duel. "Oh, the folly of the organized battle. Squandering the resource of our men-at-arms so that they might beat each other about the head. Heaven save us from fools with weaponry - those of us unarmed are more than dangerous enough."
Lady Melisende's glances towards Rebecca as she overhears the comment, her wicked smile tugging at the corner of her mouth, but refrains from comment, instead leaning close to Zurladew to hear the jester's whispered words, and to reply in kind...
*Spoiler Omitted*
Sir Jaymin calls out cheers along with the crowd as Garrett lands the first blow, and winces at the return smash into Garrett's shield. He raises his voice to be heard by the combatants as well as those around him. "His ripostes seem to be aimed a bit low, given how easily Sir Garrett is able to take them on his shield. Perhaps it was by fighting children that the good Viscount earned his reputation as a successful wielder of the mace."
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"You seem to be enjoying yourself so far, Lord Geoffrey."
'I like to take a little light exercise of a morning,' the Viscount retorts, 'although it would be nice if I could manage to break a sweat here...'
Catching Garrett's next swing on his own shield, Viscount Geoffrey's counter-attack sails far wide of the mark... he still seems to be focusing on power over accuracy...
"His ripostes seem to be aimed a bit low, given how easily Sir Garrett is able to take them on his shield. Perhaps it was by fighting children that the good Viscount earned his reputation as a successful wielder of the mace."
Keeping his eyes on Garrett, Geoffrey offers a jovial reply,
'I take it you'll be willing to face me next then, Sir Jaymin? After I get round to knocking young Garrett's head from his shoulders, of course...'
"Oh, the folly of the organized battle. Squandering the resource of our men-at-arms so that they might beat each other about the head. Heaven save us from fools with weaponry - those of us unarmed are more than dangerous enough."
'Master Zurladew has a point,' Lady Rebecca says quietly to Beatrix, but then adds with a smile, 'although it would be pleasing if, at least, our fool could win the day!'
Applauding a little, Lady Rebecca offers in a louder voice,
'Well played, Sir Garrett... please endevour to indulge the Viscount's wish for a challenge...' adding in a quiet aside to Beatrix, '... by knocking his block off!'
On the way to the sword rings...
'That's odd... Sir Gervase was in such high spirits this morning when Lady Beatrix graced him with her favour.'
'Ah...' Lady Ailith responds, hesitating a moment before continuing, '... as far as I can tell Sir Gervase's interests in your Lady Beatrix aren't supported by all in the Viscount's retinue... one in particular doesn't approve of her... mixed... ancestry...'
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'Ah...' Lady Ailith responds, hesitating a moment before continuing, '... as far as I can tell Sir Gervase's interests in your Lady Beatrix aren't supported by all in the Viscount's retinue... one in particular doesn't approve of her... [i]mixed... ancestry...'
'Yes, Lady Beatrix is an half-elf, but it's not as if she is qadiran. Is Sir Gervase set to inherit or some such thing?'
Aydan gives his neck a twist, feeling it pop in a couple places, smiling a little dejectedly as Alaina approaches.
"And just how is the forester doing today? Enjoying the competition yet?"
"If only it were so, M'lady." he casts a weary eye back towards his target, "Seems I had a bit more mead than I thought, that last round was just plain bad." he shakes his head and smiles a little self mockingly.
Aydan will wait for the third round to finish, and then when given an opportunity, he will make sure to congratulate the winner and shake his hand.
After this has finished he'll turn back to Lady Alaina, "Shall we catch up with our friends? If we hurry we may be able to catch the end of Garrett trouncing our friend the Viscount!" He grins at the thought.
In truth Aydan himself is still trying to think of a way to get himself into the duels, but for now he'll be happy to watch. He will also, should he and Alaina make their way from here, keep an eye out for where the bare knuckle matches are going to be held.
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"If only it were so, M'lady." he casts a weary eye back towards his target, "Seems I had a bit more mead than I thought, that last round was just plain bad." he shakes his head and smiles a little self mockingly.
"Perhaps the wind blew your shot off course." She says with a playful wink. "It might be trying to tell you to let the others have their moments."
"Shall we catch up with our friends? If we hurry we may be able to catch the end of Garrett trouncing our friend the Viscount!" He grins at the thought.
"The Lady Rebbecca rushed off not but a moment ago to do the same thing. She seems very adamant that I wish you well. Let's go watch our side trounce the opposition!"
"The Lady Rebbecca rushed off not but a moment ago to do the same thing. She seems very adamant that I wish you well. Let's go watch our side trounce the opposition!"
Aydan's smirked a little. Were he a more innocent man he'd probably blush, he knew full well the game Rebecca played. His thoughts drifted to the last time this played with Alaina and Molly. For the briefest of moments his expression clouded before he shook it away. Holding a grudge would do no good he supposed and instead just laughed as he fell in step beside Alaina, "I'm not surprised, It would hardly be proper for the young Lady Redwyrm to be seen cavorting with a common woodsman, especially one who just lost. What would her lady step mother say?!" He keeps his voice light, but Aydan's words are only partially a joke, emphasized when he finishes with "In truth I fear the Baroness holds a rather sour opinion of me, the stray mutt her too noble husband took in."
He smiles, trying to keep his spirits up, and as he approaches the dueling ring he keeps an eye out for the Viscount's man Sir Hugh.
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Garrett's latest swing comes close... but scoring a 'telling blow' past full plate and shield proves a challenge indeed, although Viscount Geoffrey's overhead smash, accompanied by a loud bellow, is so far from the mark that Garrett barely needs to sidestep it as the Thevian Lord's heavy mace fairly imbeds itself in the packed earth of the sword ring ground.
As Lady Alaina and Aydan approach the portly Sir Hugh can indeed be seen at the fence of the ring, in, the Viscount's corner, scowling and shaking his head in response to his Lord's latest poor effort,
'My Lord,' the rotund knight offers in his clear, booming, voice, 'far be it for me to suggest such a thing, but mayhap trying to just strike the whelp, instead of trying to brain him in a single blow, may be the way to go in this duel?'
Lady Ailith and Sir Clarius also approach...
'Yes, Lady Beatrix is an half-elf, but it's not as if she is qadiran. Is Sir Gervase set to inherit or some such thing?'
'Not that I'm aware,' Ailith responds, 'although that may be the point... perhaps Sir Gervase is receiving counsel that he'd be better off setting his sights to a target more likely to produce dowery... or at least status...'
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Lady Ailith and Sir Clarius also approach...
'Not that I'm aware,' Ailith responds, 'although that may be the point... perhaps Sir Gervase is receiving counsel that he'd be better off setting his sights to a target more likely to produce dowery... or at least status...'
'That would be the smart play for Sir Gervase if he is not inheriting lands or titles...'
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"I'm not surprised, It would hardly be proper for the young Lady Redwyrm to be seen cavorting with a common woodsman, especially one who just lost. What would her lady step mother say?!" He keeps his voice light, but Aydan's words are only partially a joke, emphasized when he finishes with "In truth I fear the Baroness holds a rather sour opinion of me, the stray mutt her too noble husband took in."
He smiles, trying to keep his spirits up, and as he approaches the dueling ring he keeps an eye out for the Viscount's man Sir Hugh.
"I think, given a bit more time, she may warm up to you. There is a lot going on right now." Alaina says, taking three steps for every two Aydan takes. "But that's talk for another time. What do you think of the chances our friends have?"
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Zurladew bounds to his feet and tears off the dais towards Sir Guy. Depending on how far away the attacker is, Zurladew does one of three things:
Within 15 ft: Color Spray (DC 17 vs. Will), consequences be damned - however I can knock over the attacker.
Within 25 ft: Flare (DC 14 vs. Fort), dazzled for 1 minute if it succeeds.
Within 400 ft: Silent Image (DC 17 vs. Will) to make a mirror image of Sir Guy, that I will concentrate on having imitate whatever Sir Guy does in order to confuse the assailant.
"But that's talk for another time. What do you think of the chances our friends have?"
He gives a shrug, "All of our Lord's men are strong contenders, Garrett and Jaymin especially, in my opinion, but it really depen.."
At that moment Aydan spots Sir Guy's would-be assailant and takes off at a run, dropping his longbow at Alaina's feet as he does, "Behind you!"
Aydan doesn't bother drawing his sword and instead attempts to barrel down the man
Applauding a little, Lady Rebecca offers in a louder voice,
'Well played, Sir Garrett... please endevour to indulge the Viscount's wish for a challenge...' adding in a quiet aside to Beatrix, '... by knocking his block off!'
Beatrix whispers back to Rebecca in a humorous tone.
"The Viscount certainly has an interesting fighting style. This practice of not hitting ones opponent is one I have not seen before."
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"Lord Geoffrey, it is amazing that anyone can hit anything with a weapon this clumsy."
"The Viscount certainly has an interesting fighting style. This practice of not hitting ones opponent is one I have not seen before."
From his position on one knee with his mace near imbedded in the ground Lord Geoffrey defects Garrett's latest blow with his shield then, with a roar, pulls his own weapon free and lunges low, aiming for Garrett's legs as he hurls himself bodily at the Redwyrm knight... Garrett swings an opportune strike at the Viscount's exposed back, but it deflects uselessly off the man's plate armour a moment before Lord Geoffrey takes Garrett's legs from under him, sending the Redwyrm knight crashing to his back...
... Standing tall above the fallen Garrett, Lord Geoffrey raises his heavy mace high in the air, ready for a telling blow...
Leaping from the stage, jester's marcotte in hand, Zurladew utters a word of mystical power...
A sudden flare of light erupts just behind the approaching Sir Guy, even as Aydan calls out...
"Behind you!"
... and charges forwards. The un-armoured Sir Guy (dressed instead in his courtier's finery, since he's somehow managed to, due to 'uneven numbers of entrants', get a free pass on the first round of every event...), as well as many of the spectators, turn... just in time to see a filthy looking scarecrow of a man, dressed in ragged peasant garb, a sharp, curved, skinning knife in his hand and raised high to strike at the knight's back, hesitate as his free hand goes to his eyes to try to rub away the spots caused by Zurladew's flash of light. A moment later Aydan flies into the man, tackling him to the ground...
Taking a few steps back, Sir Guy draws his sword, looking between Zurladew and the scuffle with incredulity,
'What is the meaning of this?' he demands.
Sir Hugh doesn't appear to have noticed the situation, focused as he is on the duel (and Lord Geoffrey is far too busy trying to brain Sir Garrett).
On the platform, Lady Melisende glances towards the scuffle with interest, raising a slender eyebrow and inquiring (to no-one in particular),
'Trouble in this Taldan paradise?'
What does Jaymin, self-professed fair-play police know of this tactic?
Knowledge (Nobility):
Obviously squat!
Sir Jaymin sucks air through his teeth as he sees his friend in a very compromised position.
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Sir Clarius finally perceives that there is a scuffle afoot outside of the duel. 'Oh, gods! Aydan, not here and now...', he half exclaims and half mutters. Taking Lady Ailith's hand is his opposite hand, he reaches around her waist and quickens his step towards the stands. 'Milady, I must get you to the relative safety of the stands. There is an altercation and I may need to intercede.'
Rushing her to the stands, Sir Clarius spies Lady Rebecca. 'Lady Rebecca! Lady Beatrix! Please be so kind as to seat Lady Ailith with you.' So saying, he veritably abandons Lady Ailith to his friends and hurries towards the fight.
Dust kicking up around him, Aydan does his best to knock the knife away from the man, and to pin him to the ground, "Are you insane man!" he shouts at the man, "Keep this up and it'll be the gallows!"
Dust kicking up around him, Aydan does his best to knock the knife away from the man, and to pin him to the ground, "Are you insane man!" he shouts at the man, "Keep this up and it'll be the gallows!"
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Lying on his back with Lord Geoffrey looming above him Garrett's position doesn't look too favourable... as the Viscount's mace descends Garrett rolls to the side, narrowly avoiding the weapon's flanged head, whilst simultaneously trying to kick Lord Geoffrey's legs from under him... but the Viscount's too canny for that, sidestepping the attempt before bringing his heavy mace down again - this time smashing a clean shot into the side of Garrett's helm!
There are gasps and cheers from the crowd as the action in the duel heats up, and applause as the Viscount's first flag is raised...
'Lady Rebecca! Lady Beatrix! Please be so kind as to seat Lady Ailith with you.'
Following along after Clarius as best she can, Lady Ailith nods at his words. Lady Rebecca quickly moves from her seat to Ailith at Clarius's request, and takes Ailith's hand,
'Of course, Sir Clarius,' Rebecca replies, casting a worried glance towards the scuffle before escorting Lady Ailith to a seat on the stage.
I actually have no ranks in Knowledge Local, can I roll in untrained?
"Are you insane man!.. Keep this up and it'll be the gallows!"
Aydan pins the ragged would-be assailant to the ground, as he struggles to force the knife from his grasp. Seemingly somewhere between enraged and distraught the filthy man snarls out,
'That bastard - 'e killed me dogs! Murdered them poor pups... and gave me a thrashing t' boot!'
"Sir Guy, this man tried to kill you. Would you care to enlighten us as to why?"
Gesturing towards the man Aydan's got pinned with his sword, it's Sir Guy's turn to snarl,
'That filthy brute should think himself lucky that's all I did! He left a threatening note in my tent... by rights I should have taken his head - and now it looks like my leniency has come back to haunt me!'
'You're a damned liar!' retorts the filthy man, 'I left no note... I can't even read!'
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Sir Clarius moves quickly, but does his best not to draw further attention by running, to the scuffle.
Upon arriving, Clarius exclaims, 'Sir Guy! It is good that you are unscathed.' Looking down at Aydan and the peasant he says, 'Aydan, rise. Get that man up as well and follow me.' Turning back to Sir Guy, Clarius bids him, 'Sir Guy, if you would be so kind as to join me, we may resolve this without public display. I am as loathe to disrupy my lord's sport as I am sure you are loathe to ruin your own lord's sport.'
Upon hearing the man's angered accusations and Sir Guy's own acknowledgment of his part in it, Aydan can't help but let out a pained sigh. Still keeping his arm strong against the Tobias he asks, "If I let you up, will you keep your calm? No further harm will come to you, I swear it," he looks pointedly at Sir Guy.
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Zurladew's insides turn to ice at the mention of the note he wrote, but he keeps his face calm. "It seems to me, Sir Guy, that you have thought your station to be higher than it should be," Zurladew says, his voice a cold fury. "By rights, you should have brought your case to the lord that oversees this man, namely Baron Redwyrm. What evidence do you have that this man left a threatening note?"
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'Sir Guy, if you would be so kind as to join me, we may resolve this without public display. I am as loathe to disrupy my lord's sport as I am sure you are loathe to ruin your own lord's sport.'
It takes a moment or two, as Sir Guy continues to glare at the filthy man in Aydan's custody, but eventually the knight from Thevia shrugs and sheathes his sword,
'Very well,' he agrees, 'but I will have justice.'
"If I let you up, will you keep your calm? No further harm will come to you, I swear it,"
The filthy man nods, the fight seemingly having left him, with only a deep desolation remaining on his face. As Aydan hoists the man up (making sure to confiscate his knife) Sir Guy snarls once more,
'Your forester makes promises he's in no position to keep...' he comments to Sir Clarius... but with the obvious intent that Aydan and his prisoner also hear his words...
"It seems to me, Sir Guy, that you have thought your station to be higher than it should be... By rights, you should have brought your case to the lord that oversees this man, namely Baron Redwyrm. What evidence do you have that this man left a threatening note?"
'By rights,' Sir Guy counters, his own anger clearly seething behind his enforced calm, 'I should have executed the man there and then... but I spared his life out of respect for your Lord. Or perhaps you imagine that Baron Redwyrm would have denied me justice, and risked both his relations with my own Lord and his standing at the Imperial Court, merely to defend some worthless churl of a rat catcher?' the knight shakes his head, then pulls a scrap of paper from his jacket and throws it in Zurladew's face , 'There's the note, fool - you can clearly see how this villain identified himself! It didn't take much in the way of inquiry to find the only rat catcher in the region...' he takes a deep breath, then shakes his head again, '... that he imagined a knight of the realm such as myself would take such threats and insults, not to mention the fact he intruded into my lodgings, without reaction is, perhaps, the greatest insult of all!'
The duel...
Garrett swings his mace wildly at Lord Geoffrey's legs with little chance of hitting... but the swipe does its job, forcing the Viscount back half a step, just enough so that Garrett can roll under Geoffrey's own swing and regain his footing! Laughing out loud once more Lord Geoffery tries a backhanded swing, but comes up short, his heavy mace arcing through nothing by air...
'Well played!' the Viscount calls out the Garrett, 'Excellent recovery!'
On the stage...
'Could I ask what's happening?' Lady Ailith voices quietly, 'Is... is Sir Clarius safe?'
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'Your forester makes promises he's in no position to keep...' he comments to Sir Clarius... but with the obvious intent that Aydan and his prisoner also hear his words...
Sir Clarius responds to Sir Guy, 'I feel certain he meant for the man to stop struggling and come along quietly.'
Once the group has removed to an out of the way spot, Clarius listens to Zurladew question the Thevian knight about a note.
the knight shakes his head, then pulls a scrap of paper from his jacket and throws it in Zurladew's face. 'There's the note, fool - you can clearly see how this villain identified himself! It didn't take much in the way of inquiry to find the only rat catcher in the region...'
Giving Zurladew a moment to see the note for himself, Sir Clarius asks, 'What is this note?' Holding out his hand, 'Let me see it.'