"I live but to learn, my lord and your world is one of wonder to my eyes."
Eglantine's eyes are limpid with adoration and to her slight concern she realises that most of what she is saying is quite sincere. If Riverbend wasn't in the equation and a man's life wasn't at stake, she would find both Flax and the feywild exactly as entrancing as she's pretending.
Elias nods, "We must go. Perhaps the nature of time here will work in our favour, and we shall arrive before them. We must try in any case."
Bren nods back at Elias. He looks to the rest for confirmation.
Eglantine's muscles move of their own accord. Years of training seem to have lead her only to this moment.
DM
Charge, in SA damage and CA (1d20+10=29, 1d4+2=5, 2d8=7)
Impelled by something beyond her control, Eglantine leaps and strikes in one fluid movement, drawing her dagger gently across Flax's golden skin.
"Fight me, beloved."
Catriana follows Elias and jumps in the water as soon as possible. She manages to see Eglantine jumping on Flax's horse, and her only thought seems to be: "I hope she knows what she's doing..."
Bren runs up to the pond and prepares to dives, then halts when he sees what Eglantine is up to. "Eglantine! No!" he shouts.
Unsure whether to flee or fight, Cyrus casts a bolt of Force at Flax.
1d20+7=18 vs Flax Reflex, 2d4+5=10 force damage
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Even as most of the party dives into the pond to intercept the fey raiders, Bren and Cyrus stay to aid Eglantine, though Cyrus's magic bolt fails to hit the young lord.
At that moment, four arrows fly out from the windows of the two-story mill, three piercing Eglantine, and the fourth missing Bren. -15hp to Eglantine, slowed
"Eglantine, jump in the pool!" cries Bren even as he is ducking arrows. He clutches his great black axe helplessly.
"Hold fire. I have challenged your lord. Don't smirch his honour."
Eglantine's voice is high and clear as she drives her dagger down into Flax's shoulderblade.
"Fight me beloved. Let me prove my worth to you." The attack is almost a caress.
Sly Flourish (AC) (1d20+10=23, 1d4+6=7, 2d8=6)
Bren and others
Half terrified and half exultant, Eglantine leans forward and kisses Flax's neck.
"I will be yours, in life or death. We fight on the ground, away from the millhouse, my Lord. I will meet you on level terms or none."
Though unable to hear the conversation between Flax and Eglantine, he clearly understands their body language and what is about to transpire.
"Elias, Cat, Yomi!" he shouts. "Come back! Eglantine has challenged Flax to a duel!"
Nature check to steer horsie (1d20+1=11)
Grasping the reins and winding her arms around Flax to do so, Eglantine can't quite manage to steer the horse.
"Sweet killing Lord, you must guide me in this as everything else."
She lets the reins fall free and kicks hard.
Elias looks up from his swimming, and struggles to make sense of what is going on.
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Elias and Scathach disappear into the pond.
Elias:
Scathach:
The ettercaps slowly move around the remaining party members, but do not do anything obviously hostile.
Flax then brutally shoves Eglantine off the warhorse, where she lands at the feet of one of the black fey. "This is not how to fight a duel, you lunatic. Meet me across the dam."
He then spurs his horse to the dam. Halfway across he stops and calls out, "The mortal woman has challenged me to single combat. All others will stand aside. Should she defeat me, Riverbend will not face my forces. Should I defeat her, you will not interfere with us."
The black fey (with the exception of the one by Eglantine) move on across. It is now clear they and the ettercaps are forming a ring.
DM
Eglantine laughs as she lands lightly on her feet. If she doesn't laugh, she'll panic and now is not the time for that.
"Bren, this is for Riverbend and Froderick."
Catriana tries to dive deep enough to touch the millstone, but she doesn't seem to be able to hold her breath long enough. She raises to the surface for another breath, while watching the drama next to the mill.
Eglantine laughs as she lands lightly on her feet. If she doesn't laugh, she'll panic and now is not the time for that.
"Bren, this is for Riverbend and Froderick."
Bren is stone-faced when he nods. But his eyes communicate great admiration.
"You're a great warrior, Eglantine Pradeska. Greater than I shall ever be."
He salutes her and steps into the pool.
Eglatine meets Bren's eyes and she smiles gently. It's a very private moment. Then she nods quickly and looks at Yomi and Cat.
"My Lord will surely grant you honourable passage if you stay as witness to my folly."
He then spurs his horse to the dam. Halfway across he stops and calls out, "The mortal woman has challenged me to single combat. All others will stand aside. Should she defeat me, Riverbend will not face my forces. Should I defeat her, you will not interfere with us."
Cyrus fills in around the circle, taking a place as close to the millpond as possible, should he need to escape.