Recent rumors outside of Artshall speak of /knights/ terrorizing local villages and small hamlets. The survivors of these attacks are insistent that they were knights and can't be convinced otherwise. Sometimes it's just one man in shining armor on horseback that cuts down and preys on the defenseless, othertimes it's /several/ men. A group has been assembled to investigate and deal with the problem, comprised of several loyal vassals and house servants of House Laurent as well as allies to the duchies. The scene now is a idyllic cluster of buildings with farms dotting the hillside. Idyllic that is, if you ignore the recently flaming buildings and dejected, upset looking villagers as they go about repairing the damage.

Alis could not pass up the opportunity to join this adventure; because damned if anyone is going to impersonate a Knight and besmirch the good name of Valardin or any of its vassals and their ages long tradition of being THE best knights of the realm. She's done herself up in full knightly gear, with tabard and robes. And her warhorse is also decked out to show that yes, this is presumably a white dragon pair. And at the moment, she is paying close attention to how the villagers react.

Forever on the move, it's only natural that Katarina may have been in a position to lend aid to House Laurent in its ducal territories given she was passing through the southern seas for some voyage or another; small scenic detours in the name of aiding her allies - and kicking ass, hopefully, with her older sister. "Do you think it is someone masquerading as a knight," she asks quietly of Alis during the ride, garbed in full leathers and armed to the teeth herself.

Freshly released from the House of Solace, Daemon had marched his way outside of the city and straight on toward Artshall. The man still had bandages covering half of his face but he was far away now from the near-corpse he'd been during his grace's wedding. Thankfully he'd been provided with a horse for the journey, the wounded knight galloping briskly alongside the rest of the group with a newly forged steel sword at his side. He looked excited, if nothing else.

The good thing about not having shiny armor in the situation of potential combat is that you do not appear to be a stereotypical knight when said 'knights' are roaming the countryside terrorizing it. That being said, Kael is indeed wearing some high quality leather all in glorious white. It's more attire for a pleasant social function, but it serves the purpose of protection as well as setting him apart from his common farmer. So it is that in his shiny duds, Kael cannot blend in with the locals. He's got Echo along with him, the adolescent bloodhound trotting merrily along with them. He probably swiped an old nag (or something easy to ride, let's face it) from the Laurent stables for this little adventure. While he had been content to ride to the rear of the party and keep to himself, Katarina's commentary has him maneuvering the horse a bit forward before he notes, "Several someones then, your highness. I heard rumors that there were numerous men."

Trouble near Artshall means that Norwood is along, the older knight clad in his simple armor in the Laurent colors, and borne by an amiable, older rouncey selected for its mild demeanor. No fancy acoutrements, just a simple traveling pack, and his swords. He isn't given to overmuch speaking if he can help it, though doesn't seem unfriendly as he rides along with the gathering. Simply not having anything useful to say.

It's with a pensive set of her mouth that Katarina bows her head to Kael, twisting about in her saddle somewhat to engage the Count of Keaton more easily. "If that is the case, it may be an organized nuisance," she theorizes softly. "Hopefully something that can be resolved quickly -- and without too much fuss." A humored glance is cast aside to Alis, reaching over to nudge her sister with a hand after steering her stallion closer. "Or we could just get you to give them a royal beating with the flail of justice and truth."


Being from Artshall and a Knight of House Laurent, Fawkes wasn't about to turn his Duke down when asked to go see what all this nonsense was about knights attacking villagers. In full armor he looks the definition of knight, though unlike most he prefers not to use that sword and instead has opted for mastering the flail. Riding with the others he keeps quiet for the most part, watching and scanning the horizons as well as the faces of any nearby villagers. The visor of his helm is raises, allowing his vision to remain unhindered.


Several people arrive on horses, with a few of them looking exactly like knights. A woman that's carrying a bucket of water down the road stops, looks directly at Alis, screams and drops everything she's carrying. "They're back! The knights are back! Everyone hide!!!" Cue more than one person diving inside of a building and the slamming of doors. It's a flurry of chaos for several moments. The village is quickly 'deserted' and the streets barren of people. Minus one older fellow who comes out from around a corner and squints at the group of travelers that doesn't seem to be riding in to kill everyone. "It's not a good day for visitors." He drawls, casting a tired look to the common folk that are peering out the windows at the various armed persons that have arrived. "Damn knights wrecked the beehives out that way." He shakes his head sadly. "Going to be a lot of work to replace them. You all, you anyone important? Helpful?"

"Men who impersonate the honor of the Oathlands make me sick." Daemon comments aloud, a grimace on his face making an indentation deeper in his face than the healing scars. "I have this tricky feeling in my stomach that we may be saving more honey than lives today. But... Suppose that isn't quite a bad thing if you like honey, true." The man's one good eye moves over to Alis, who's horse he falls into step with as they trot along. Though that rather horrified welcoming doesn't seem to put any more faith into his features. "We're not of any roving band of criminals, my friend." He calls aloud to the older fellow that greets them. "We're the ones the stories foretell to be helpful, not pillaging and highway robbery."

"It does sound like several." Alis agrees, looking troubled by it. "What I haven't heard yet is whether these so called knights are specifically impersonat...." her voice abruptly trails off when someone looks right at her and screams. "I guess that answers that." And briefly, she struggles to control the flash of fury in her expression so that when she dismounts and approaches the older man she attempts to be approachable. "We're here to investigate the rumor of criminals posing as knights and wreaking havoc." She nods over at Daemon, and is sure to keep her hands away from the hilt of her weapons right now. "Would you like to give us details about what's happened here? We come in peace, only to give aid."

There comes forth a tip of his head when Katarina offers forth that commentary to him. Nothing more and nothing less from Count Kael at the moment, but then again he is momentarily distracted by the absolute horror that the villagers display upon seeing them. His eyes lower -- unwise, but sympathetic nonetheless -- and thereafter takes stock of the area as a whole. He maneuvers his horse forward to come to stop off to the side and a little forward from Princess Alis' own, not for formal positioning, but moreso protection to cover her from that angle. You know, just in case. He tips his head amiably to the older man, keeps an ear on the conversation, but his eyes skimming the environment.

Katarina goes rigid within her saddle as the small village erupts into chaos, her mouth rounding as though she were going to speak before Alis does so on their behalf. "Any details would be most appreciative. We came to give aid, however we might," she echoes in hushedly thereafter, looking aside to Kael, then Daemon. Daemon really gets a look.

Token Commoner Knight Norwood listens to the shouts, and the others attempting to assuage the locals, and he slips down from his saddle, starting to have a bit of a look around, especially toward the poor, defenseless apiaries, laid to wreckage senselessly. The carnage. His lips are pursed, and he looks off in the direction away from the village, nearest that site. No sense in mentioning that it doesn't matter to these people if it were knights or no.


Watching the chaos of fleeing and frightened villagers, Fawkes arches an eyebrow, but makes no move to soothe their fears just yet. Let the others do the talking, its not something that was ever his strong suit. When the old man approached them, brown eyes study the elder as he speaks. After the words stem, he turns to his fellow Laurent, Norwood, and asks "Where do you keep your hives again?"


The only member of the village /not/ in hiding slowly approaches the group, taking each of them in turn. Daemon's tabard catches his attention and his eyes linger on the sigil of Gild that he wears and it seems to soothe him. He takes a breath and then looks to the rest, all appearing to be authentic in their bearings. It's to Alis that he speaks first, "They came by the first time about a month ago and harried some folks working in the fields. Then came back around just this last week, took a torch to our buildings. Killed some of our animals and destroyed the hives. About three to five men each time, dressed much like you bunch. One of them had a horse that he rode in. He lobbed the head off of-" Here the man pauses in his retelling and shudders, shaking off a horrible memory. "We keep our hives that way." He answers Fawkes, gesturing in the direction to the north.

1 Grayson Guardsmen arrives, following Sabella.

1 Grayson Guardsmen leaves, following Sabella.

Alis pays careful attention to the older man, lips pursing in obvious digruntlement at the news of what seems to have transpires here in the village. "We will see your animals replaced." Be it by Laurent or Valardin. The damage to other parts of the town is surveyed, with a sigh escaping her. "And the buildings re-built of course. Hives replaced. "Can you tell us in which direction they keep coming from? Or do they vary their approach? We will find them and make sure they're unable to bother you and your neighbors again." Of course, she does look to the others to make sure they are onboard with this plan. Riding out into the wild yonder by herself would not be the wisest thing to do.

That tale is enough to draw Kael's eye. He turns toward the man, his lips curving down at the corners even as his expression grows more and more grim. "Are they asking for silver in turn for a cease of the violence? What appears to be their angle other than desecrating the name of nobility?" These questions are asked in a quiet manner, a glance cast toward Norwood before returning to the elder. When Alis seeks confirmation of the plan, he inclines his head toward her.

Scowling at the tale is recounted, Fawkes looks to Alis, seeing as how she's seemingly taken on the role of leading their merry band. And when she looks to the rest of them, to see if everyone is onboard with her proposed plan, he gives a nod. There really wouldn't be any need to ask, although without knowing one another the gesture is given to simply let her know, since he would have ridden after her none the less.


"If they're wearing Laurent or Valardin colors and going straight to violence, I expect it's less about pillage and more about sowing dissent and mistrust," comes Norwood's low, rumbling tone, and he crosses his arms with a troubled look upon his face. Glancing toward Fawkes, he says "My home, not far from Artshall. I should have some spare frames we can bring later."

Daemon listens to the man's tale with a frown. Obviously sympathetic. "We are here to help in all the ways we can." He echoes Alis' previous statements with one of his own, falling to the wayside and quieting down to allow her to do the talking. When she looks back, he meets her gaze and nods slowly. "I am at your command, your highness."

"Haven't asked for one coin of silver, my lord." The man answers, looking pained. "I almost wish that they would. But they make sure to yell a lot about 'for the Oathlands' and 'For Valar!' as they trample our people and ruin our livelihood. Something about 'long live High Lord Edain'." He squints at Alis' armor and arms and sighs then. "Anyway, most people around here think that they're /you/." And there's a gesture to Alis and Katarina. "There's an old outpost in the hills. They come from that way-" There's a gesture to a road leading out of town. "The one on the horse said he'd be back real soon. To finish uh, how did he put it... cleansing the area? Folks are real scared. But we don't have anywhere to go. Sent missives off to Artshall. Hoping they're going to send- oh are you them?"

Welp, if Alis wasn't ready to blow her stack before, she sure is now. "I assure you, good sir. There is no Knight of Valardin who would do such a thing in the name of the Oathlands, Valar, or Prince Edain." She tries to keep the stiffness from her voice, but that she is quite frankly utterly appalled and offended by anyone doing such a thing she's unable to disguise. "They are far more likely to be Children of Malar that have somehow gotten ahold of armor. I shudder to think of what they have done with the rightful owners of it." She bows then, in thanks to the older man. "Please spread word through the village that we will be back through when we have dispatched this threat. If it would ease the villagers mings, we will bring the body back with us so they can see for themselves the threat is gone. And if you have anything this so called knight left behind... perhaps Count Kael's bloodhound can use it to track?" She looks questioningly at Kael then, to see if she's judged correctly. To Norwood and Fawkes she smiles apologetically for what's happened in the Laurent lands. And Daemon, she smiles at gratefully.

Kael tips his head in a firm manner by way of confirmation when Alis asks that question. "Of course, your highness," he murmurs, his voice a low thing, not concealing the irritation evident at the news of the cruel impersonation. "The only point I bring up is that they might be attempting to lure us in, as well. Surely they would know that this would not be without reprimand. Unless, of course, they simply do not care." He shrugs a single shoulder, keeping silent at that.

Echo, a juvenile Oakhaven bloodhound have been dismissed.

As declarations of bringing back the body of the villain are made, Norwood looks between the assembled Valardin nobles on horseback, then makes his way back to where the horse he was riding is standing. He holds the bridle, then speaks softly but loud enough to be heard, "Highness, please consider that it is a trap meant to lure our forces in. They don't seem to have taken anything, and it's been done more than once, it would seem. Baiting a reprisal is not outside the realm of possibility."

"I fear it may be both, Count." Daemon muses toward Kael. "They hurt the reputation of Valardin until they eventually draw out their servants and no doubt mean them harm. Their madness is only surpassed by that of their master's. I can only imagine how much these people have had to suffer..." He casts a sympathetic look back to the aging man. "Trap or not, we'll have to face them at some point and bring them to justice. I can assure you my friend, we will see this done." He pridefully taps the Knights of Solace's tabard across his chest. "By the grace of the gods."

He looks from Alis to Kael to the bloodhound, which seems a little young. But what does he know? "One of them lost a boot. Don't ask." He gestures over to wear a sad looking leather boot rests all alone next to a barrel. Alis' words are met with a nod of his head and he says simply, "I hope that you can follow through on those promises, my lady." And thus the group is left with the dog, the boot and a trip through the hills. There is in fact an old outpost up there. It looks suitably abandoned and creepy and the gate to the yard is left wide open. (@check perception + survival at 20)

Norwood checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 4 lower.

Alis checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 6 higher.

Daemon checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 4 higher.

Kael checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Alis looks upward and listens to Norwood, her expression solemn as she takes his counsel. "Thank you, Sir Norwood. We will venture forward as if we are headed into a trap and be wary. But we cannot allow this to stand. This villain will come back, and further terrorize these people. And then go on to terrorize others. And they do so in the name of good knights, attempting to turn the people of our lands against us." A firm nod is given in Damon the Daring's direction. She both looks and sounds utterly resolute, even with a strange boot in her hand. "Well then." Here doggie, doggie? She holds the hopefully smelly enough discarded footwear to Kael's hound. So he's a bit young. He can still sniff!

Echo is a good bloodhound, young as she is. Nonetheless, she sniffs and shows the promise of excellent Keaton training as well as bloodline. When she's older, she'll be quite the prize -- probably why the beastie is part of the flagship line. She is swiftly picking up the scent and starting with nose to ground, tracking away. Kael is on her heels, striding along, however, when she gets to the outpost, there is maneuvering back and forth and a quizzical look offered with those intelligent brown eyes of hers. This followed with more of a desire to draw forward in, though her body language changes, lowering slightly, trying to appear bigger than she is with her hackles raising just so.

Alis can't quite help the small smile she gives to Kael when Echo goes off in the direction she's supposed to. If nothing else, this is a good exercise for her. The dog's hackles raising prompt an eyebrow raise from the Princess, as she too sniffs lightly at the air. "Recent fire?" Dismounting again, she wraps her destrier's lead to the nearest post or tree so that the rest of this trek to creepy outpost of creepitude can be done on foot. "Eyes peeled. Anything seen or smelled that is even sllightly out of the ordinary please speak up. Be prepared for an ambush. I doubt this jackhole is acting alone, either." She says it so primly too.

Having done his duty in making a case for caution, Norwood resumes his usual quietly patient demeanor and goes along. It's not that he doesn't want to put a stop to this, it's his home afterall, just that wandering into a trap without adjusting the plan seems like walking into a trap, for some reason. But, sometimes you gotta get your sword on and defend the peasants and the cabbages of the field, and avenge the broken homes of all those bees. It'll be a lean year for those farmers. He looks up at the outpost and also dismounts once there.

The outpost /seems/ vacant. Quiet. Too quiet? The entire area seems too quiet.

Daemon dismounts alongside the rest of them, patting his steed with a quiet whisper of encouragement to her. A hand moves atop the ornate handle of his blade, keeping it close at hand as he walks alongside the rest. His good eye traces a line up and down the path leading to and from the outpost, a quirk of his brow. "... Well-walked paths your highness. This outpost is well-used. There will be many, certainly..." A flick of his eye left, then right. An inch of steel withdrawn from its hilt. "They /have/ to be waiting for us..."


Fawkes, like Norwood follows after the others in silence. Dismounting when they do, and setts his hand on the pommel of the flail at his waist as they continue on foot. Eyes are kept roaming the horizon, looking for any signs of ambush, which when considering the almost eery silence is sure enough to happen. Right?


There comes forth another swift nod of confirmation from Kael when Alis is remarking that they should be prepared for an ambush. He follows along with the knights, this eyes scanning the area, his dominant hand moving to the hilt off is blade though his other hand is moving down, touching the dog once and signaling that she is to remain silent. Echo complies, but sniffs here and there some more, clearly picking up more than one scent for anyone that knows canine body language.

Alis narrows her eyes a bit pensively. "Alright. So, we can approach this a couple of ways. I can draw the attention of anyone nearby by loudly declaring who I am.. which, if they are Malardin, will no doubt attract them like... forgive me, Sir Norwood, Sir Fawkes... bees to honey. In which case, Count Kael and Echo, with one of you, might be able to scout a bit further and see if there is anything useful left in there." she suggests. "Or, we storm the creepy outpost. Or.. /or/, we can try surrounding the outpost and see if we attract attention that way. Unless there is another strategy one of you might suggest?" She has her hand already on the hilt of her flail, ready.

Norwood shakes his head slightly, then glances around at the assembled company. "The first course of action is riskiest if they have archers. We can anticipate at least five, if not more. That said, luring them from their fortification would make this easiest, rather than having to assault it?" Norwood knows a little of war, but it is not his area of expertise.

The place certainly does seem like a big ol' trap nestled up here in the woods like it is. While the party of adventurers arrives and checks out the scenario a faint sound can be heard within the outpost. Voices, more than one. And possibly even the sound of a horse inside. Either they'll take action or those within will eventually discover them outside of their walls.


"I am of the mind to lure them out, Highness. Despite Sir Norwood's points of it being riskier." Fawkes weighs in with his vote, "I doubt these wretches are trained as we are, and the fact of it being the easiest route appeals." Lifting his shoulders in a shrug, the Laurent knight falls silent and goes about readying his flail by taking it in hand. Any who have served with him regularly would know that Fawkes is one to take seemingly unneccesary risks.


"I do not like the first option," concurs Kael with Norwood, nodding his head to the knight before regarding the outpost again and the sounds that come forth. "We should likely -- ah, they may be coming even without a lure. Shall we attempt to ambush them?" The words are spoken quietly, hushed, even as he glances back behind them at the likely path the evil-doers shall take.

"It will be better to fight them on as close to our terms as possible, considering they'll likely already have planned for our arrival." Daemon adds on, the anxious hand at his blade still gripping its hilt as if his life were dependent on it never slipping from his grasp. "A decoy worked at the wedding. Perhaps a decoy will work in our favor here as well? Alis I'm certain can handle whatever may come her way when we prepare to ambush."

"Alright. Here's what we'll do. Sir Norwood you stay here with me. The rest of you prepare to ambush them as they come out." Alis decides, as they seem evenly split on what to do. She waits only just enough time for people to take their places before whistling in a sharp and unladylike manner. "HEY, ASS KISSING MALARDIN FLUNKIES." she calls out, shouting. "I am Princess Alis Valardin. I challange all of you, here and now. Come out and face me you cowards! I will end every last one of you!" She doesn't have to pretend her rage and fury, it's realllllllly obvious. Think it'll work?

When Alis decides upon her course of action and implements it without much warning, Norwood tries really hard not to cover his face with his hand but isn't totally successful. Instead, he takes a step forward to come by Alis' side, the large man moving with purpose in spite of being rather older than the others. His own voice isn't needed though, and he simply reaches to his side, drawing Queensguard from its scabbard. This attack has harmed Artshall and House Laurent and must be answered one way or another.

Norwood wields Queensguard the Sword of Laurent.

The people inside the walls are a mixture of prepared to kill everyone and absolutely /baffled/ that Alis Valardin is standing outside the outpost? Yes, question mark. Because do they really believe that? Two men immediately rush to the exit and peer out at Alis and Norwood. It takes a few seconds before they begin wildly calling back. "THE PRINCESS IS HERE!!! SO'S THE HONEY DUKE'S SWORD!" And there's the sound of more feet in the background. They don't appear to notice that there's anyone laying in wait for them. Likely due to the fact that the Malardins are a bunch of crazy assholes and this is too good of an opportunity to pass up. The two goons that charge Alis and Norwood are armored mostly in leather and don't particularly look like knights but they don't look like common thugs either. Another more well geared and more cautious individual appears, she actually takes a second to survery her surroundings before she comes /running/ out.

Fawkes wields Dragonsmaw, Scarlet Star of Artshall.

So it is very suddenly go time. Just like that, Kael is running as though he was a coward (spoiler: he's not). Nonetheless he is jumping into the bushes and gesturing for his little dog to do so too. From this angle, he tries to maneuver back toward the exit of the outpost, so that he can flank the attackers if at all possible.

Alis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Norwood has rolled a critical success!
Norwood checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 20, rolling 14 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(2) at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(2) at difficulty 25, rolling 7 higher.

"Seriously?" Alis looks over at Norwood with a slightly pained expression, and then at the door and the two men who scrambled to verify their identities. Is the outpost a clown car? She's ready though, in a defensive fighting stance as they come fumbling out and trying to attack. "Which of you is the -knight-?" She fights to keep the sneer out of her voice there, trying to live up to her knightly ideals, despite also living up to the name of her flail. Reckless is swung out as she meets the charge head on, ducking (it's good to be short sometimes) to try and avoid their initial attacks. Trusting, too, that the others have their backs.

Fawkes has rolled a critical success!
Fawkes checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 79 higher.

As soon as Daemon had entered the bushes it seems as though he's going to be needed right back out again. However, it isn't the initial barrage of enemies that catches his attention, but in fact the cautious one that had stayed behind. Looking back out to Alis and Norwood, the knight draws his blade and charges. It's straight into the oncoming path of one of the charging thugs, his blade perched to dig in as he springs into action.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 44 higher.

Alis checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 31 higher.

Norwood checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 39 higher.

Kael has rolled a critical success!
Kael checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 120 higher.

Norwood gives a small shrug of his shoulders, and doesn't have much time to respond when they're set upon. Taking a two-handed grip on the Laurent sword, he sets himself, using a shoulder to deflect a blow away from himself, then stepping in with a jab at the midsection, because that's where the pointy end goes.


Hacing circled around to the sides of the outpost while the Princess and his fellow Laurent make ready to draw the attention, Fawkes takes Dragonsmaw in hand and starts to wind up, whirling the spiked flail in a counter-clockwise motion, spinning the spiked rings in a menancing display. When the discration is made, leaving the first two goons to come out of the gate, charging at Alis and Norwood, he waits.. Waits until the better geared individual comes running out and times his swing at just the right moment to use both their momentum and his own, to send the crimsonsteel, spiked and edged head of his flail crashing into the woman's head. Impacting and potentially caving in the helm guarding her skull.


Cristoph checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 11 higher.

Cristoph checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 3 higher.

Cristoph checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 9 higher.

Cristoph checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 13 higher.

Cristoph checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 6 lower.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(2) at difficulty 30, rolling 3 lower.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(2) at difficulty 30, rolling 4 lower.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(2) at difficulty 30, rolling 0 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(2) at difficulty 30, rolling 4 lower.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(2) at difficulty 30, rolling 1 higher.

One cannot say that Alis doesn't know how to draw attention, right? There's no smile now though, when she lunges at one of the attackers and has no qualms about making sure those spikes find purchase before dragging the flail away and then delivering a solid kick to the leather clad midsection of whomever she hit. "Well!? Get back up!! If you want to impersonate a knight of Valardin you better damn well fight like one." Yeah, still pissed :(

Daemon crosses the path of the would-be Malardin thug and with one quick jab, his blade runs through the leathers of the man's side and stabs deeply into his abdomen. It wasn't exactly a killing blow, but that was sure to leave a mark nonetheless. He finishes his attack with a swift backhand of his gauntlet, steel smacking face with a grandiose slam. "Bees. Cowardly move attacking those who must die on their own defense. A thousand stings on your soul."

With faith that Alis and Norwood have the two initial villains quite in hand, Kael is continuing his back trail through the outpost and seeking to come up behind the reinforcement. He's honorable though, and he rumbles a low vocalization -- no true words -- to alert of his presence before his own blade swings for the attack. It is countered for one strike, however with the vantage of his height and strength, a head goes flying very soon and those beautiful leathers of his get covered in some red. For a moment, Kael looks absolutely dumbfounded. Some might look absolutely badass after such a display, but Kael... he looks a little confused. At least it is a temporary thing and he is whirling to see how the others fared soon enough -- ah, they too are making short work of their foes. Echo is somewhere near, lowered, watching raptly but heeding a previously provided 'stay' command... just barely.

It's a bloody little skirmish that occurs in front of the outpost. Easy? Too easy. Inside there comes the rumblings of great movement. If anyone cares to peer through the gates, they'd be greeted with the sight of a lunatic on horseback charging from one end of the outpost to where they currently are all standing. His sword held high in the air as he rides. And this person /does/ look like a Valardin knight. From the tack on his horse to the armor he wears, it's unncanny. There's good reason why the villagers were so upset. And unfortunately, he's not alone. 'Three to five' was close, but not quite accurate. He has two more with him, a tall and willow woman with a short sword and a broad shouldered man who wields a spear. Our friend on horseback shouts, "FOR MALAR!!!"


Aftering having her helm, and skull, caved in like that it would be safe to assume the woman Fawkes had attacked is dead. Especially with blood visibly seep from the open portions of the helm, supposedly meant to guard her precious inside of its confines. Frowning, he kneels down, weapon to in hand, while he uses the other to draw off the crushed helmet and sets it aside, so that he may brush the strands of hair from his foes face and close her eyes.

Respectful in his beliefs of the dead with such action, bowing his own head for a moment, he then goes about searching her person for any clues as to what made their group as as they did when accosting the villagers and bees. Coming away from the body, he places weapon back at his side and approaches Alis with a letter - correspondences between the slain woman and another person about the various crimes they've committed and how gleeful they are that the commoners think the Valardin knights are responsible for all of this. "You should see this, Highness." The letter isn't the only thing he comes away with, though the trinkets he took as well disappear somewhere inside of his armor for holding on to.


Welll, that was too easy. Alis brow is furrowing already before she even opens the letter so she can read some of this correspondence with a look that bodes ill for any of the foes that may be left. "Edain will need to see this. I will keep it, if that is alright, so I can give it to him when we return." And with his permission she'll tuck the missive into a pocket of her knight robes... theslightly cooled fury of a moment ago rearing it's head again at the shout for Malar. "Fuck Malar. Fuck him right in the ear." she mutters, keeping her flail out and looking at the others. "We have more imposters to deal with, it looks like." Based on her sudden feral smile, she will very much enjoy helping them deal with it, too.

Norwood looks mildly alarmed at the others stopping to read a letter while in the path of a charging enemy horseman and moves to interpose himself, readying his blade and awaiting the charge, prepared to move aside. The contents of that are a matter for later, when there aren't screaming foes.

When Fawkes calls attention to the letter and moves to Alis, Kael is looking over in that direction as well and raising his brows. He smears some grime (or stuff) from his face before starting back in that direction. When another wave comes forth however he pivots slightly, maneuvering back to a defensive pose so that he can face the attackers with the others.

Daemon likewise makes himself ready, stepping away from his fallen foe and flicking the blood that stained the edge of his blade to the dirt below. Raising it up and setting his boots apart, the man steels himself for the coming charge. "Steel bends. Honor holds." He says aloud, both hands holding a white-knuckle grip upon his weapon.

When your choices as a sword wielding, monster following lunatic are: a) stay on the horse and maintain a good fighting position over your enemy or b) leap off your horse with the sword and attack them in a dramatic and surprising fashion... you choose b. Which is what the fake knight does, charging into them on his horse only to jump off at the last possible moment. The animal is confused and alarmed at what's going on, rearing up in the air as it finds itself surrounded by strangers and possibly Kael's dog. The confusion is added to when the last remaining people in the outpost run out, one heading for Kael and the other for Daemon. The knight seems focused on trying to eliminate Alis and is oblivious to the others. For now.

Daemon checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 27 higher.

Kael checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 13 higher.

Daemon has rolled a critical success!
Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 82 higher.

Fawkes checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 44 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 13 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 29 higher.

Kael checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Alis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 25 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 16 higher.

Norwood checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 49 higher.

Alis checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 17 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(5) at difficulty 25, rolling 55 higher.

Hopefully one day, the others here will be able to see Alis in a battle that does not involve the Malardin. Because she probably comes off as half fucking crazy with the way she just runs headlong to meet the fake knight in a charge and clash of steel. "FOR VALAR!" Because if they're going to taunt her, she's going to return the favor okay? So she winds up a little squished and banged up; that doesn't stop her from twisting around to try and pound on the guy's face with the butt of her flail and kick at his chest with her feet so she can get up and attempt beating the snot out of him.

Alis takes moderate damage.

Whirling about, Kael attempts to dodge while countering with his own strike as his foe bears down on him. This makes for his attack to be a clumsy sort of thing, his footing slightly out of place, and his posture not that which he was taught. Nonetheless, this is combat, and the young Count has his jaw set, attempting to concentrate.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(4) at difficulty 30, rolling 9 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(4) at difficulty 30, rolling 9 higher.

Everyone is successful to varying degrees, with Daemon in particular doing some nasty damage to his one attacker. The woman is kneeling over, clearly surprised by the knight's skill. But yeah, she continues on with her next wave of attacks. The fake knight fighting Alis manages to land a hit on the woman, only to have his armor badly dented to the point that blood seeps out from Sir Norwood. Kael and Fawkes both work on keeping the third man at bay, inflicting significant damage to the him even as he tries to fight past them to join his comrades.

Fawkes checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 17 higher.

Fawkes checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 6 lower.

Norwood checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 13 higher.

Alis checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 64 higher.

Fawkes checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 26 higher.

Norwood turns the heirloom blade of Artshall, storied thing in its own right, and holds it by the blade, using the quillons to crunch the enemy "Knight"'s armor like a hammer, denting it hard and warding with the pommel, his expression stern. That'll buff out.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 37 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 10 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(4) at difficulty 25, rolling 17 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(5) at difficulty 25, rolling 7 higher.

Echo, a juvenile Oakhaven bloodhound have been dismissed.

Fawkes takes minor damage.

Alis takes advantage of the Malardin 'Knight' turning to sttack someone else by leaping on his back, reminiscent of a limpet. Except stronger and with a flail. And also not a mollusc. Still, the way she flail sinks into the shoulder of that armor is determined if nothing else. And when she shoves herself off him, if lucky, a chunk of that purloined pauldron may just come off and expose a meaty shoulder to sink something sharp into.

Norwood checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 34 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(4) at difficulty 30, rolling 18 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(4) at difficulty 30, rolling 4 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(4) at difficulty 30, rolling 11 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(4) at difficulty 30, rolling 9 lower.


Taking the handle of his flail in both hands, Fawkes moves to provide Kael with assisting, calling out to the Keaton to attack from the opposite side that he is, so as to minize the chance of friendly fire. Flails are at times unweilding things, though very rewarding when they manage to impact and crush plate armor, and do worse to lesser means of protection. Unfortunatelly, using Dragonsmaw two-handed, leaves him more open to attack as the added force of the stance uses his whole body and takes far more follow through. Causing a window of opportunity, brief as it is.. which their foes chooses to capitalize on in that moment, striking him a glancing blow. The blade slides along plate to one of the grooves that happens to be less armoured at his elbow.


Kael checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 23 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + dodge(4) at difficulty 30, rolling 13 higher.

The 'knight' that Alis and Norwood battle isn't quite the opponent that he might fancy himself to be. After opening strong against the Valardin princess he's struck hard by her and then in turn, Norwood as well. His armor is dented and blood seeps out, there's a frenzied yell as he makes one more lunged attack at Alis. The fury and the hate clear even in his gutteral yell. The one fighting Daemon is having no better luck, pressed back by the other man's skill, looks about to fall or give quarter soon. The only one still fighting without exhausting is the opponent facing Kael and Fawkes, perhaps pushed on by a blood frenzy.

The 'knight' that Alis and Norwood battle isn't quite the opponent that he might fancy himself to be. After opening strong against the Valardin princess he's struck hard by her and then in turn, Norwood as well. His armor is dented and blood seeps out, there's a frenzied yell as he makes one more lunged attack at Alis. The fury and the hate clear even in his gutteral yell. The one fighting Daemon is having no better luck, pressed back by the other man's skill, looks about to fall or give quarter soon. The only one still fighting without exhausting is the opponent facing Kael and Fawkes, perhaps pushed on by a blood frenzy.

At the call from Fawkes, Kael moves to comply, maneuvering to the opposite side and taking care with his strikes. Given his height and relative side, he has an extensive reach. Hopefully this manages to allow him to keep him at bay from the flail -- no matter how expertly it is wielded. Kael maneuvers, striking and withdrawing, trying to lend aid but also not hinder Fawkes.

Norwood checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 40 higher.

Fawkes checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

Alis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Kael checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 1 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 26 higher.

Daemon checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 55 higher.

Alis checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Kael checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 28 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(4) at difficulty 15, rolling 42 higher.

Cristoph GM Roll checked dexterity(3) + medium wpn(5) at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

Fawkes checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Fawkes takes moderate damage.

Alis takes moderate damage.

Norwood continues the clash, turning the blade again and half-handing it to shove at joints while the varlet fights on out of madness in spite of injury. Who can say what drives a Malard. Probably spite and a small team of rowing rats upon a boat inside their chest.

251} As if they've /always/ worked together in battle, Alis and Norwood do an expert job of dispatching the fake Valardin knight to the Abyss (or wherever those people go). In his lunge however, he does manage to move in and strike her again causing more damage again. But it's all in vain, since he's not able to finish his job and the killing move goes to Norwood from behind. The man and his stolen armor crumple to the ground. Daemon meanwhile, ends his opponent all by himself! And manages to escape the situation unharmed, through perhaps sweatier. And off to the side, the threeway between Fawkes, Kael and the enemy goes on. Until finally Fawkes lands an impressive blow on the enemy, which is good, since the enemy lands a blow on /him/ that was originally intended for Kael. There's going to be some bandages needed after this scuffle.

There's no yell this time, no battle cry when she is lunged at and Alis is once more knocked down and pummeled under, before hooking the flail the Mlardin's knee and giving a good yank. The more spikes embed the better, quite frankly. Especially before she draws the flail back so she can lean over by the failing 'knights' ear and let him hear the words that may well follow him out of this life. "Steel bends. Honor holds." And one may consider it either kindness or cruelty that has her waiting, making sure it's her face that he sees as the light dies from his eyes and she can close them shut for him. Only when the bastard is dead by her or Norwood's hand does she let her wince show, cause /ouch/. He did some real damage in a few spots there. It's only a moment though, because if any of the rest of the enemy are still alive... well, they need killing.


Swinging Dragonsmaw about again, Fawkes comes mid-swing before seeing the attack coming for Kael, and unfortunately is too late to stop. So instead he uses the force behind the momentum of his blow to throw himself in harms way, taking the strike meant for the Keaton, while striking his own on the enemy. Reckless? Quite so, but he'd rather throw himself in harms way, wearing plate, than let another man be struck by something he could prevent.


Kael can see the strike coming in toward him. He really, really can. There's a maneuver -- albeit clumsily -- to draw back with a leap and his eyes widen as he can tell that the impact is forthcoming. Then, his hero, Fawkes is to the rescue! When the man is struck, the impact heard, Kael is yelling one single word, "What?!" with a mixture of exacerbation, regret, and gratitude all rolled into one.

Alis definitely has a few words of gratitude for Norwood, given that it was his final blow that felled the Fauxdin Knight. "Duke Laurent will be quite pleased, I think." she offers, with a quick smile. "As will the villagers. You're quite a Knight, Sir Norwood. I'd be pleased to work with you at any time. Any of you. Sir Fawkes, Sir Daemon, Count Kael." She keeps her expression stoic, to mask some of her injuries as they finish what needs to be done. "We'll patch up back at the village I think."

Kael is overheard praising Fawkes for: To Sir Fawkes, for his bravery in taking a blow not meant for him!

Norwood doesn't look uncomfortable with the praise, but responds to it with a quiet nod, saying "Thank you, your highness. It's the job." He finds a scrap of cloth on one of the bodies to wipe down the diamondplate sword in his hand, checking it, then re-sheaths it. We should get these in order, then find a gravedigger in the village." He tries to assess if anyone's injuries are extensive, but that is not really his area, so he goes along.

Kael's not trained in medicine, but he has seen plenty of ill around his wife and he knows when things do not, well, look right. So, in the most prudent of ways, he is suggesting that the group -- after taking care of business in the village -- retire to Keaton Hall.