The rest of the meal will pass in relative silence for those in the house. Tyrus appears to be in a retiring mood and will excuse himself before the meal finishes. The servants themselves will wait through the entire meal. The three Alvanen men wait at the end of the table. Their clothes are similar to the house; once elegant, now dated and worn.
It's fairly obvious that they are armed and....are they shaking? Yes, they appear to be shaking silently and you can see a tear roll down the face of the one on the front right, as his shudders become more pronounced.
Just as their behavior becomes more alarming; you can hear muffled voices from the other room.
Mihai looks around and sighs, thinks to himself, "I knew this place was too good to be true."
Noticing the men's behavior, Mila could not hold herself before asking.
"Are you all right? Why are you shaking?"
Aurum will grunt derisively. "He knows the head count. Just don't talk long enough to try the man's patience. You know those Alvanen, they are all about their proper etiquette." Aurum will wave Lambri off to go about her business. As she walks off, Lambri catches him looking after her in a forlorn manner. Although his eyes are trained on her back, his mind is somewhere else entirely. Lambri is not far from the house when she hears the drums... Hearing the drums Radin looks up sharply.
"Nice coat you have there." Radin says to Lambri with a sardonic smile.
Catching the sound of drums from not too far off the distance, Lambri is momentarily feeling a bit off-kilter as her previous thoughts had already been jumbled in between wondering what had become of Patrin (her designated Burden of Copper), marveling at how she and five others- including the Metara- that she recognized, in some fashion, ended up at some desolate godforsaken place so far from Mistcrest, and considering how to go about giving obeisance to the nature spirits.
In trying to make out the direction that the drum sounds are coming from while she ceases to rummage through her pack for some incense, the words of Radin's odd remark catches the Wolf-Blooded by surprise and she turns to regard the smugly smiling Champion of Balance, who looked remarkably no worse for wear considering the last time Lambri had laid eyes upon him.
Since it was obvious that the Luthander Champion knew who, and more importantly, what she was, Lambri decided that it was best to keep things honest and open with this one. "Yes, I am, as you have suspected, the wolf that had climbed out of that river alongside with the rest. I give you greetings, as a Pala Wolf-Blooded of the Majestic Copper and the Silver to you, Champion of the Balance and Oathkeeper of Silent Moor. You look well for one that had just come out of battle surrounded by Dead-Hand's army with naught but two others by your side". At that utterance, Lambri also gives a gesture of respect towards the nearby Metara mount of Radin's.
During all this, Lambri briefly thinks back upon the circumstance that led her to finding Radin, his mount, and the mysterious young knight during Dead-Hand's attack. It was at a nearby bridge leading towards the town proper. The Champion of the Silent Moors had been there with his mount, alongside the female Alvanen Knight. They had been surrounded by Dead-Hand's men and it was only due to Patrin's insistent behest that Lambri even arrived there, away from the Caravan and her Copper Burden. When the Champion and his mount fell into the nearby waters, Lambri had thought her errand on Patrin's behalf ended in abject failure. Clearly fate had something else in store for them...
"It is good that you, your mount, and that young knight are hale and hearty; my Copper Burden felt it important that you three survive. But enough about that- have you seen Aurum anywhere about?". Lambri will then look about, trying to catch a glimpse of where Aurum had disappeared to.
The youngest of the three servants will fall to his knees. "Fountain of light, hear my plea. I, who have washed myself in the waters of truth and wandered far from the failings of man, beg you to spare us from the coming night. Tell me what is to be to done, so as to stop these harbingers of sin from walking is all into clutch of Devils. Holy waters, Saint above Saints.." the man's sobs begin to drown out his words as he raises his hands above his head in fervent worship.
The other two draw their blades. "We didn't think you were real. We prayed every night to Sarat that you were ravings of a mad man, but here you all stand. If you knew what we know, you would bury these blades into your stomachs and save yourselves."
Mihai thinks 'Just once, just once, I would like to have a nice meal in a nice house without the occupants trying to kill me.'
Mihai thinks back to the times when he was invited to eat by Saraten inquisitors or Alvanen nobles trying to get rid of the irritating Calivan Echma asking to many questions about their activities. The only reason he was still alive is luck and paranoia, hence the detect poison cantrip.
"Wa-wait! Please, do not attack us! We are common folk, trying to understand what is happening to us! Please, trust me... I just want to go home..."
Miahi sighs.
"It seems their complaint is our method of arrival, something about being the work of devils."
"Killian spoke of you as he stared into the fire. Told us that the reason we were returned was to stop you. The Dead-Hand was merely an instrument for darker powers." The youngest will straighten himself as he speaks but he has yet to draw a weapon.
Mila's words have caused a flicker of doubt to creep into the eyes of the other two and their weapons will lower somewhat. "Sarat tells us that sometimes the innocent are the greatest tools for the wrathful powers. With their hearts unshaped on the forge of pain, their minds are blind to the strings that guide them. Know that we will pray for Sarat to wash away your sins when your ship departs."
At this point everyone can hear those inside can hear the sounds of drums
Meanwhile outside:
Seven on horseback can be seen riding over the snow. They are clearly armed and armored in the style of knights of the old world, relics now in the age of black powder. The armor will catch the light and turn them into glowing harbingers of Sarat's fury.
Radin feels iron hard fingers curl around his shoulder, turning he sees Aurum, his face a grim totem of determination. "Now is the time to ride fast, warrior. If we are lucky they will kill the wolf before she has a change to feast on our bones. Save yourself, the Tonah abandoned this place a long time ago."
Ahh... the brave and blind men of faith... I've encountered them many times before they managed to 'cleanse' me... I, the mighty King Lorthas, reduced to ashes... listen to me girl and do what I tell you or you shall share my fate! The charred skeleton whispered in her mind. O-Ok...
Mila lifted her sword and put it into contact with her own throat. Her eyes no longer showing pity, but determination.
"Fire indeed illuminates our path in the dark night but also blinds us to what lays beyond them... I've seen men blind by faith more than once, and most of them following the darkness instead of the light. You say that once we hear what you know we would bury our blades in our stomachs... Zephora is too big for this, but I'm ready to cut my throat if your words are indeed true."
Mila changes her attention to the youngest man.
"There is not only the cleansing fire but also the purging and unholy fire from the demons and other low creatures and only the wisest among us are capable of distinguishing between them. You may attack us like this Killian said, but would your hands be guided by Sarat or the Horned-ones?"
Back to the other two, she continues.
"Sarat also tells us that those pure of heart are sacred and even if my heart is unshaped by pain it is also unsullied by the sins of men."
Hearing the drums outside, Mila looks around, focusing on the reactions of their 'enemies.
Radin looking over his shoulder at Aurum with disdain, "I have given my word to the hearth holder to defend his hall while guest right is given. If a Fallen wishes to flee into the snow night allowing others to fight in his place then so be and flee, I will not. The bite of the wolf holds no danger for me and I would gladly fight by her side in defense of the weak and innocent."
Shrugging off Aurum's hand, Radin steps away from the man and shouts in Luthandar "MYSTERY, TO ME!"
Inside
The men are completely taken aback by Mila's actions. They look for a moment like they are about to drop their knives, but a swell of determination will tighten their grips. The blonde haired Alvanen, whose bookish looks seem more suited to a library than a battlefield, will speak up. "It will soon be out of our hands. Killian did not trust us to face such darkness along and certainly rides here as we speak. You can make your pleas to his ears, but know that he is a high seraphyte and has undergone the drowning three times. You may lie to us....but you cannot lie to him."
"The drums again, brothers, it's the work of the gwyllion pounding upon their kettles or the hags upon their drums made of human flesh. Maybe this is all a trap. They wish to dance upon the bones of good seraphytes while they beseech the powers of the greater dark." The youngest looks around as he speaks, his eyes virtually bugging out of his head. "We have heard those drums before when they took Meliscind. I can still hear her scream in the night. I will not be the pork on a demons table nor the blood in Hob's goblet."
The more he speaks the more the terror grips him. The third member of the party, a brawny youth with close cropped hair who has so far maintained his silence, reaches to restrain the young one.
Mihai observes the terror of the young man and an expression of sympathy of sorrow and sympathy crosses his face.
"We have experienced loss, young one. Know that we mean no harm to you or your people. If you have lost or are suffering in some way, perhaps we can aid you. We are no devils nor servants of darkness, just folk, folk that found themselves somewhere they know not but we are still willing to help."
Mihai looks with kindness at the young man and gives a solid trusting glance to the older two.
Meanwhile outside: Seven on horseback can be seen riding over the snow. They are clearly armed and armored in the style of knights of the old world, relics now in the age of black powder. The armor will catch the light and turn them into glowing harbingers of Sarat's fury. Radin feels iron hard fingers curl around his shoulder, turning he sees Aurum, his face a grim totem of determination. "Now is the time to ride fast, warrior. If we are lucky they will kill the wolf before she has a change to feast on our bones. Save yourself, the Tonah abandoned this place a long time ago." Radin looking over his shoulder at Aurum with disdain, "I have given my word to the hearth holder to defend his hall while guest right is given. If a Fallen wishes to flee into the snow night allowing others to fight in his place then so be and flee, I will not. The bite of the wolf holds no danger for me and I would gladly fight by her side in defense of the weak and innocent." Shrugging off Aurum's hand, Radin steps away from the man and shouts in Luthandar "MYSTERY, TO ME!"
No sooner than she had asked Radin of the whereabouts of Aurum, both Kath Champion of the Balance and Pala Wolf-Blooded catch sight of the seven mounted knights off in the snow covered expanse. Are those armored knights the ones that are responsible for that distant drumming? If only Aurum was here, he might know of what is truly happening here!
Upon hearing Aurum speaking his near treacherous words to the Oathkeeper of the Silent Moors, Lambri frowns briefly at their implication and she turns to glare at the fur-clad figure standing behind Radin. As Radin makes his own proclamation to Aurum in turn, some of Lambri's angered gaze softens just a slight bit. Patrin, my Burden of Copper, you have spoken wise and true upon the importance of Champion and his Chosen Metara Bearer.
She doesn't make any immediate retort to Aurum's accusations while Radin loudly calls for his Metara. When she does find a more calmer and less heated tone of voice to speak with, Lambri icily says to Aurum, "You know of what is truly occurring here, Aurum- the drumming, those knights of old, and how we've all arrived here to this forlorn manor...a great distance from where we originally came from. So tell us, are the Fey somehow involved in all of this? You bear one of their marks; a weapon forged from Skyember... your weapon, the tomahawk axe."
Without waiting to see if Aurum would have an answer to that, Lambri then gives a nod towards Radin, then continues to state her words in a more wistful, softer tone, "I told you earlier, Aurum, that you need not fear any harm from me, as your hands would not seek to harm me in turn- does that still hold true? As for the Champion and Oathbearer, my Copper Burden mentioned to me of how important he was, along with two others; I was sent...commanded away from my Burden's side for their very sake. They shall not fall, by my Burden's entrust, I will see to that."
Still assisted by King Lorthas' spirit bounded to the blade Zephora, Mila nodded at the blonde's words.
"So we managed to come to an agreement, right? We'll not fight each other and, as you said, we'll wait for Killian so we can make our pleas... I guess it serves both our purposes: we do not wish to sight you and by your own words, this Killian thinks we are enveloped in such deep darkness that you'd lose your lives against us, so waiting for him will not risk your lives and still fulfill your mission and purpose."
Mila then changes the grip of her sword, holding it downward in an impossible way to use it, in a clear way to show her intentions.
"Now, about these drums... do they herald the approach of this Killian or are we both under the threat of gwyllions and hags he mentioned? If this is the case, this dilemma of ours is moot, for we should be preparing ourselves to face the darkest of enemies."
Inside
The youngest member of the group will seem emboldened by your statements, and the look of a paralyzed rabbit falls from his eyes. The brawnier youth releases him with a hard pat on the back but a grim caste to his features. "They are as distraught as we were when we were first pulled from the waters. Sarat has yet to reveal his designs for them. If they truly are defilers or beastkin, Killian will surely see through their lies."
The blonde is the last to lower his weapon, and you notice a circular scar completely surrounding his left wrist. He will regard Mila with no small amount of respect. "You are either the bravest sword maiden south of warden's rock or the most curved of raked-tongued succubin. We do not know the origin of those drums. They make the air shimmer. Last time we heard their call, Meliscind, a young girl barely older than Reath, was taken from us."
Outside
Aurum growls, rising to his full impressive height. "I will not be scolded like a child! You come here with your words and your invocations, like they mean more than piss in the wind when the dark comes knocking. There was none more devoted to the balance than I, a warrior who held the moon-line against anything that could be belched forth from under the mounds. I bled for the cursed balance, and more was asked from me than you will ever know. So, save your empty signs for those who still care." As he finished: the stars could be seen glowing hot against his iris. A sure sign to any Luthander that this man had been past Warden's Rock and has the seen the path where earth gives way to darkness.
As Aurum continues to seethe with anger, Tyrus exists Winter's Mourning dragging his useless leg behind him. One look at the aged Alvanen stops Aurum dead. Aurum mumbles under his breath, "cursed be my name, for I shall never know sleep in this world or the next."
At this point the knights are almost upon you. At this range, it becomes obvious that their armor is dented and rusted, an artifact of a brighter past.
Mystery appears by Radin's side, her nerve returned by the virtue of necessity. Despite Aurum's derogatory marks concerning his heritage, there is a pain inside him when he looks at the metara. Like she is a reminder of a piece of him that now is lost.
Mila nodded at Shiruba's comment.
Ha ha ha... so they think you are brave right? This is funny little girl! Will you ever tell them you are but a vessel?
Mila ignores King Lorthas' acid comment in her mind and walks towards the former room, where her armor was left behind.
"Yeah... I do not intend to take my armor never again... could you help me, Master Shiruba? This armor is so complex that it is almost impossible to don on my own..."
Mihai will concentrate his energies inwards.
"If these drums are the harbingers of trouble then perhaps we will have to do something anyway. We will speak with your Killian and when he knows we mean no harm then perhaps we can look into the origin of these drums."
After motioning Mystery to kneel so that he can climb up, Radin sighs "You are corret, I know not what path you have walked. Nor could I judge yea or nay if I would have fallen as you did, faced with the same trials. For me The Balance asks nothing, it simply gives and takes while I am forced to survive, and that I am not sure I have done."
Balancing himself as Mystery stands to her great height Radin continues, "I have seen plenty of what the mounds can belch forth. I name myself last of the Silent Moors not for nothing. The flower of my tribe was destroyed by the evil of which I will not speak. The few who survived failed to find shelter before the unrelenting winter took them. Even of two that share my name are lost to me. She I have not seen since last we parted ways nearly two decades ago and he not since our naming."With a slight husky rattle to his voice, "So don't lecture me on what the balance asks. A price was paid for my life and it is a debt I will repay." With a strength returning to his voice, "While the soul yet lingers, atonement can be found. But only by those who seek it."
Pulling his hammer from his belt and bringing his shield forward from his back Radin nods down to Lambri, "Shall we teach these boys that it is impolite to threaten a metara before she has had her breakfast?"
Outside
The Knights will pull up short. You can see the misting breath of the horses, and can almost hear the hearts hammering in their chests after the hard ride. The man in the front will lift up the face of his helmet revealing a worn looking Alvanen man. His hair is streaked with gray, his face pockmarked and winkled, and his eyes are small black orbs hidden within his flattened features.
"Tyrus, I knew you would bring the sky down upon our heads." The man laughs, a gurgling sickening thing that reveals the plague in his lungs. "At least two northerners in this batch. Did your kept man need the company? I can't say I have the same tolerance for their smell."
The man dismounts and approaches Tyrus, Radin, Lambri, and Aurum. The men behind him dismount as well but stay by their horses.
"Killian," Tyrus nods, "no matter how many times you are drowned, your bigotry remains quite untouched. To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"You know why I am here. You have played the roll of caretaker too long as the six thrones spit upon our world. I know you have no love for Sarat but you have done your part, delivering into my hands the foesworn. If you turn your back now, you have my word that not a single drop of blood will fall upon your precious paintings, but if you stand by your charges, I will see to it that you will burn along with your house."
Radin stares down at the man, he has seen the like many times before. . .
Outside
As Aurum continues to seethe with anger, Tyrus exists Winter's Mourning dragging his useless leg behind him. One look at the aged Alvanen stops Aurum dead. Aurum mumbles under his breath, "cursed be my name, for I shall never know sleep in this world or the next."
At this point the knights are almost upon you. At this range, it becomes obvious that their armor is dented and rusted, an artifact of a brighter past.
Mystery appears by Radin's side, her nerve returned by the virtue of necessity. Despite Aurum's derogatory marks concerning his heritage, there is a pain inside him when he looks at the metara. Like she is a reminder of a piece of him that now is lost.
After motioning Mystery to kneel so that he can climb up, Radin sighs "You are corret, I know not what path you have walked. Nor could I judge yea or nay if I would have fallen as you did, faced with the same trials. For me The Balance asks nothing, it simply gives and takes while I am forced to survive, and that I am not sure I have done."
Balancing himself as Mystery stands to her great height Radin continues, "I have seen plenty of what the mounds can belch forth. I name myself last of the Silent Moors not for nothing. The flower of my tribe was destroyed by the evil of which I will not speak. The few who survived failed to find shelter before the unrelenting winter took them. Even of two that share my name are lost to me. She I have not seen since last we parted ways nearly two decades ago and he not since
our naming."With a slight husky rattle to his voice, "So don't lecture me on what the balance asks. A price was paid for my life and it is a debt I will repay." With a strength returning to his voice, "While the soul yet lingers, atonement can be found. But only by those who seek it."Pulling his hammer from his belt and bringing his shield forward from his back Radin nods down to Lambri, "Shall we teach these boys that it is impolite to threaten a metara before she has had her breakfast?"
Her lips pursed taut as Aurum goes into his angry tirade, Lambri keeps silent during that and Radin's rebuttal of such. I never intended to scold, only to find out more of what manner of madness is occurring here in these unnatural grounds. Still, the evidence within Aurum's very glowing eyes does give indication of Fey involvement, however indirect it may be. It is only when the aged Alvanen man makes his presence known to Aurum does the Wolf-Blooded note the grudging subservience that the fur-clad Luthander has towards the aged man. Glancing over in Radin's direction, Lambri notes the lack of apprehension from the Champion of the Balance to this strange, crippled figure. So this must be the Lord of the Manor that Aurum spoke of earlier, that one that is aware of everything. And did Aurum say something about sleep? There is clearly much going on in the background between those two.
When Radin finally does directly address Lambri, she nods back to both rider and Metara while saying sofly, "Let us hope that our new arrivals have some sense of decorum". With that, she brings out her longbow, testing it's strings to see if the water hasn't affected them too badly. With that she will accompany Radin and Mystery to see to those knights.
Inside
Reath looks up, a look of excitement on his face. "He is here and he brought the whole order. He must have taken our warnings seriously. He will have brought the burning truth to deal with the heretics."
The scarred blonde will flick his knife towards the door. "It is time for you to meet Killian. It is best if you are completely honest, I know from experience that lies bring pain."
Mihai raises an eyebrow at the arrogant waving of the knife.
"We shall see what this 'Killian' is about. But make no mistake I go willingly and I do not take kindly to such posturing."
With that Mihai will stride to the door and outside, taking in the view with equanimity. As he walks he pats the daggers on his person, checking they are still there, one on his belt and one concealed beneath his clothes.
"Thank you, Master Shiruba!"
Finally feeling safe once more, clad in her heavy armor, Mila followed Mihai outside to meet this Killian.
Do not lower your guard, girl... you'll be surrounded by enemies once out there. Remember what we teach you so you do not make the same mistakes as we did... Maul, the towering luthander with its bloody arrows stuck in his flesh whispered.
With precaution, Mila heightened her awareness before stepping outside.
Continuing to stare down Killian, "You come baring intent of blood and violence against those who have done you no wrong. You threaten a man with the destruction of his home solely for giving aid to forlorn travelers." With heat rising in his voice, "By the stench of our soul on The Balance you have willing done so and more before. I will deal with you presently."
Projecting his voice over Killians head to the men waiting behind, "This man cloaks evil deeds in false piety. He is leading you down a path from which there is no return paved with the screams of tortured souls, and not just your victims. Leave this man to me and I will see that he haunts you no more."
The men draw draw their swords, and Killian steps back to join their ranks." I was going to give you the chance to submit to the truth that burns and have you scream your secrets all the way to Sarat's ears, so that you may be judged. Clearly you wish to have Sarat perform his arbitration in person."
Tyrus whispers to those close by, "the lake won't save you a second time. I appreciate your willingness to defend my home, but your fate lies elsewhere."
The Knights will pull up short. You can see the misting breath of the horses, and can almost hear the hearts hammering in their chests after the hard ride. The man in the front will lift up the face of his helmet revealing a worn looking Alvanen man. His hair is streaked with gray, his face pockmarked and winkled, and his eyes are small black orbs hidden within his flattened features.
"Tyrus, I knew you would bring the sky down upon our heads." The man laughs, a gurgling sickening thing that reveals the plague in his lungs. "At least two northerners in this batch. Did your kept man need the company? I can't say I have the same tolerance for their smell."
The man dismounts and approaches Tyrus, Radin, Lambri, and Aurum. The men behind him dismount as well but stay by their horses.
"Killian," Tyrus nods, "no matter how many times you are drowned, your bigotry remains quite untouched. To what do we owe the pleasure?"
"You know why I am here. You have played the roll of caretaker too long as the six thrones spit upon our world. I know you have no love for Sarat but you have done your part, delivering into my hands the foesworn. If you turn your back now, you have my word that not a single drop of blood will fall upon your precious paintings, but if you stand by your charges, I will see to it that you will burn along with your house."
Radin stares down at the man, he has seen the like many times before. . .With that Mihai will stride to the door and outside, taking in the view with equanimity. As he walks he pats the daggers on his person, checking they are still there, one on his belt and one concealed beneath his clothes."Thank you, Master Shiruba!"
Finally feeling safe once more, clad in her heavy armor, Mila followed Mihai outside to meet this Killian.
With precaution, Mila heightened her awareness before stepping outside.
The aged Alaven man follows the lass outside, hands behind his back giving off a look unbefitting of a battlehardned master. "Oh? It seems we're late to the party already, little Mila." He takes up position near the others.Continuing to stare down Killian, "You come baring intent of blood and violence against those who have done you no wrong. You threaten a man with the destruction of his home solely for giving aid to forlorn travelers." With heat rising in his voice, "By the stench of our soul on The Balance you have willing done so and more before. I will deal with you presently."
Projecting his voice over Killians head to the men waiting behind, "This man cloaks evil deeds in false piety. He is leading you down a path from which there is no return paved with the screams of tortured souls, and not just your victims. Leave this man to me and I will see that he haunts you no more."
The men draw draw their swords, and Killian steps back to join their ranks." I was going to give you the chance to submit to the truth that burns and have you scream your secrets all the way to Sarat's ears, so that you may be judged. Clearly you wish to have Sarat perform his arbitration in person."
Tyrus whispers to those close by, "the lake won't save you a second time. I appreciate your willingness to defend my home, but your fate lies elsewhere."
Having bought out her Composite Longbow, Lambri figured that it would be a bit more non-threatening than bringing out her Sawtoothed-spined Falchion; irregardless of the possibility that these knight may actually prove to be friendly, the Wolf-Blooded made sure that her arrows were nearby at the ready and within easy reach. Thanks be to the Spirits of the Tonah that they weren't lost in the depths of that riverbank.
While Lambri was certain that it'd be just her, the Champion of Balance, and his Metara mount that would go to meet with these Knights alone, she was surprised at noting that the aged Alvanen Manor Lord and Aurum had also accompanied alongside of them and even more astonished at the Manor Lord, Tyrus from what she can overhear of that conversation, casually discussing things with Killian, the main speaker for these Saraten Knights. Whatever disagreements they must have had with one another in the past, it was clear that they were already very familiar with each other. Killian himself made for a very foul, fanatical, and hate-filled figure, prompting Lambri to recall Mihai's own expressed distaste for the more overtly "devout" of the Saraten faith in the not so distant past when the Caravan was heading towards Mistcrest.
It would be then that Lambri distractedly notes the newly arrived presence of others drawing nearer now; among them, the young female knight, who had been present with Radin and Mystery during Dead-Hand's assault on Mistcrest, along with two other very familiar figures- Mihai, the main head of the Caravan and Patrin's adopted father figure, and Shiruba, the elderly Alvanen man who fought in an unusually weaponless but effective style of combat.
Of course, as the Tonah would have it, Radin doesn't take to Killian's verbal threats very well. While Lambri moves to draw out an arrow in response to the knights drawing their own blades, it is Tyrus' whisper that piques her interest. "So these...knights, they too arrived from that very same riverbank that we all had surfaced from? And what do you mean by our fates being elsewhere?", Lambri whispers back to to Tyrus.
Mihai will survey the scene before him blankly, trying to determine the best course of action.
"There is no need for violence here." Mihai calmly states hold up his hands."Let us go inside, sit, drink some tea and discuss the issue you have with our 'arrival' here.
While he is speaking Mihai will cast a shield spell.
"No, there is a nearby town I trade with for necessary supplies. These men originated from Garren's Grave. It's known for little save the superstitious and phobic nature of its people. Killian has found easy purchase for his words in such a people, not to mention the naive and scared youths that were brought here before you." Tyrus will brandish a rune scarred disc from his robes, and an almost palpable energy will begin to radiate from him as he adopts the assurance of a younger man. Not just any younger man; an Alvanen binder!
His focus is forward and he pays no attention to the servants behind him. This makes it easy for the blonde to move silently up behind him, and to sink the knife between his ribs. Tyrus turns to face the boy in silent surprise, his fingers grasping the boys shirt as he struggles to remain standing. The boy looks back with grim determination as he plunges the dagger again and again into the old man's side.
"So this is also Sarat's will? To murder someone how cared for you?" Mila readies her sword. "Come then, Killian, even if in the end, you are the one who will burn, first by Sarat punishment for blasphemy and then by your true masters, the horned demons from the pits!"
The blonde shakes himself as if coming out of a trance but still he fights the hands that grasp him. "You...saw the disc...he meant to summon....."
The other servants seem as surprised as everyone else by his actions. The blonde just reflexifly strokes his wrist as if he is surprised it's still attached. His words are mumbled nonsense that reach no eat but his.
Killian does not waste time in capitilizing on the current state of confusion. Now that the lord of the manor is neutralized his forces move forward.
.
Lambri, having never sensed the foul deed coming, could only gape in surprise as the blonde murderer does away with Tyrus. Wheeling around to aim her bow at the blonde youth, Lambri notes with grim satisfaction that Shiruba managed to pull the mad youth away from the Alvanen Manor Lord and Binder. At that moment, the Wolf-Blooded notes Killian trying to take advantage of the chaos caused by the still gibbering blonde youth and wheels back around to take aim at the approaching knights.
Killian seems as surprised as anyone by the youth's actions but quickly moves to capitalize on the distraction.
The servants themselves seem to have come apart at the sight of blood, and their eyes search Killian for signs of a solution.
Aurum has retreated from the conflict entirely