Never before had war broken over the world such as this. Two sides of the continent known as Aslothon locked in combat. It had been nearly a month since the attack that took Queen Tar'Von's life. And a month of death it had turned out to be. Each side had thrown its forces at the Erinon bridge, which was the only passage over the Erinon river, which separated the two warring sides. A week ago, The Elites ( The Name Lomoth gave to everyone under his flag) Finally took control of the bridge. King Tar'Von collected all of his men to prepare for the assault of the Bridge, then the march to Tare. He decided to send a single force to take the bridge, then march the main company to it, so that he would still have most of his men for the battle to come. He sent out fliers to every house, bar, tavern, smithy, and everything else in between, looking for volunteers for the Bridge Assault. He planned on having his army at its full strength when he attacked Tare.

The Map


NOTE- we are in the town labeled Talvera. I didn't have the map when i wrote the RP. so treat it like Arthine.

Talvera is the city to the south of Fathe, connected by the line that is a road. If you have any questions about it ask. It is too small b/c i took the pic of it with a web cam lol.

Nathan Feartho sighed as the light breeze kissed the sweat on is neck. The day was particularly hot as he stood to the right of Arthine's Main Gate that faced north. The road was busy despite the heat. People flowed in and out of the gate. He kept his eye on people lining up at the gate to be checked through. The people leaving, however, were unhindered.
He stopped a huge wagon with it's goods covered by a large white cloth that was brown and dusty from travel. The elderly man that was driving jumped off of the seat. "Sir, I'm going to have to check what you have here." Nathan said. His left hand rested on the hilt of his long sword sheathed on his left, raising the end of it slightly. The man nodded and rushed around the back, Nathan followed. He grabbed a hold of the cloth and threw it open, folding back. He released his hilt. Nothing but a few barrels of ale and some salted meat wrapped and stored in crates. He pulled back the cloth and recovered the wagon.
"You're fine, go ahead in." Nathan said and stepped back while the man climbed back into the seat and sent the wagon jumbling long with a snap of the reigns. He returned to his position to let the other guard take the next group of men that rode up.


(OOC: By the way. make sure that you get your posts in, because if I have to wait too long to move the plot forward, I will go on and you will have to incorporate yourself back into the plot. Also, If you have not posted for a period of two weeks or more, your character will be left behind and when you return, you will have to find your way back into the plot as well.)

The horse's hooves clicked with every step it took. Juan's body rocked slightly to and fro as the horse moved along in the long line of people. He had come a long way, resting at towns and villages on the way to his destination, the Castle of Arthine.

"Move along," bellowed the guard, patting the bum of a horse with his gloved hand. Juan's horse moved further up. "Halt!" He puckered his lips and whistled. His horse stopped right in front of the armoured guard. "I will need you to dismount."

"Of course." Juan dismounted his steed and landed with a thud. His rapier, its sheath strapped to his belt on his left, rattled. The curved, intricately patterned and well-forged Damascus steel sabre - also in its sheath - was strapped to his back, with the handle very slightly protruding from his lower left. "Do as you must."

The guard frisked him to check for any concealed weapons, aside from the ones he could see. "You're carrying weapons. I don't like that mask of yours much, either. You look a little strange to me... What is your business here?" He asked with a somewhat threatening tone.

"I am Juan Martinez Eduardo a traveller from the land of Andalusia. I have come a long way on my travels, and I do not wish to be turned away at the gates of such a fine castle. I have nothing to hide - you may search my belongings if you wish."

"You seem very well-dressed for a traveller... But-"

"What is going on here?" bellowed another man from above the gate. "Get on with it and let him in if he isn't giving you any trouble! We don't have all day!"

"But, Sir! This man is indeed suspicious!"

"Travellers come and go, you fool! Do you expect the entire world to conform to what we say and do? Just let him in and get the line going!"

"At once!" The guard turned back to Juan, who stood with a stoic expression. "You may enter - but if I hear that you stir up any trouble, I will be the first to report on you."

"So be it," acknowledged Juan calmly, with a smile as he hopped onto his horse. "I extend to your nation my deepest gratitude." He snapped the reins, and the horse quickly stepped through the castle gates.

"What an odd fellow." The guard shrugged to himself and faced the next one to be checked. "Move along now, quickly!"

"Hmm... First, to the castle." Juan made a beeline for it, not intending to waste any time. He had no intention of announcing his presence until he reached the castle - he fully intended to make an entrance, as he always did. Mischief flowed deeply and powerfully in his veins.


OOC:
So there's my first post. I hope that was all right! If there's anything wrong with it, please let me know.

A messy line of people stood in front of the gate. From this far away, Felicien could not recognise their faces but he was sure these people were all commoners. Other than the gate, the only things to watch were the empty fields, which stretched until the horizon. It was too hot to leave the cool shade of the city walls and Felicien grew bored.

"Nothing to do, nothing to do. Is this what they call war?" Felicien mumbled to himself and continued watching the line in front of the gates.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the line, he was dashing apparently. "Silly man, running on a day like this." Felicien thought. Two people whom Felicien recognised as soldiers were following the figure. This piqued his interest as the man stood up and took a quick spurt to block the way for the running figure. Felicien drew his rapier and stretched it out to a length his body couldn't reach, the figure quickly halted and hastily tried to run in another direction, but Felicien had grabbed him by his throat.

"Why are you running so fast on a day like this boy?" Felicien laughed as he lifted the struggling boy. The kid was holding on to a piece of bread, holding it tight to his sweaty body. He shook wildly and tried to kick Felicien.

"Lemme go, lemme go you bastard!", the boy cried. Felicien frowned and the smile on his face disappeared. He threw the boy on the ground and put his blade at the boy's throat.

"Watch your tongue peasant. When you address me, address me by my title." The nobleman said coolly, not realising this boy probably didn't know of his title.

By now the soldiers had caught up, panting one of them yelled thief while pointing his finger at the boy. The other, also affected by running clad in heavy armour, but more literate told Felicien how the boy had stolen the bread he was holding from the first soldier. Felicien smiled and withdrew his rapier as the soldiers tied the boy's hands together.

"May I ask what you've been doing here anyway marquees?” a soldier recognising Felicien said, he knew how touchy the man got if not addressed properly in his own eyes. But he did not hide a sarcastic undertone in his voice when saying the word. “There’s plenty of work to do inside the city walls.”

Felicien frowned and made a disappointed sound. “Labour work is not what I have come here for soldier, I have come to lend my aid in battle and in battle alone.”

“Yes marquees, but you were assigned of a soldier and all soldiers have been ordered to-” The man quit talking as he felt the blade that touched his throat.

“Do not question my word soldier, it is unwise to contradict me. The king may not miss a single man, but he will miss all the men whom followed me. Do you wish to take responsibility for the insult causing my leave?”

“No, not at all marquees! I apologize for my rude words, please forgive me!” This time the soldier sounded a lot more respectful, perhaps because of his fear, most likely because of the blade at his throat, but Felicien did not mind and sheeted his weapon.

“You may go.” Felicien said, turning around to walk back to the shades of the castle walls. Thus the soldiers left with the boy and Felicien continued what he had been doing, watching the messy line of people, waiting for something to finally happen.

The warm mdiday breeze swept through the streets stiring up a little dust. The noise of the city that surounded the castle of Arthine wse at a roar. Merchants shouted there lines to sell there goods, people talked and tried to talk over everyone else and of course there were the beggars. A large wagon rumbled down the street with a white choth covering its contents into the city and the otherway a boy pushed his way through the busy crowd earning some shreik and yells. Two soldiers followed in hot pursuit of the child. Tal started to get up off the barrel he sat atop survaying the city but sat back down reminding himself that he was off duty. Just as he sat back down a well dressed man that looked to be form another place rode by on his horse.

Tal sat lazily not far from the gate wondering why he felt the need to sit so close when in only a few hours he would be guarding that very gate from the wall above it. He yawned and got up moving smoothly he jumped down with little sound and even if there was the roar of the city would have covered it with easy. Weaving his way through the street tall stopped at a shop and picked up some salted pork and started eating it a few shops down he grabbed an apple that had just turned ripe off the stand flicking the merchant a coin in payment. He walked back to the castle and into one of the side gates that lead to a small courtyard they had built for the guards to relax in. The next door brought him into the barracks. A man in the barracks stopped him looking him up and down, "Looks like i am stuck with guard duty with you this afternoon. How about you try and do something this time." The man walked past him not waiting for an answer almost pushing through Tal.

Tal shook his head and walked the other direction talking to himself. "Its not like there is any bloody thing to do on guard duty. That bloody stupid fool i might stick an arrow between his eyes." He mumblesd a few curses before making it to his quarters. He opened the thin plain wooden door and stepped inside. He had a couple hours before his shift on the wall started and he laid down on his hard bed and sighed as he picked up a book with a worn spine. he read a passage a loud as though to someone, 'In times of strife i will lose myself in the current that is war. War will consume my body and mind and I shall be lost to it. My only release will be my death on bloodsoaked battlefeilds.' He continued to read the book until time to get back up and start getting ready for duty.

Well oiled leathers sat in a closet that barely held its contents. He put his leaster breastplate over his head and strapped it in place. Next be put on his geeves and guantlets then strapped his leather sword belt that held his plain longsword and a full quiver of arrows. He ajusted it slightly then pulled his longsword free insecting the blade. The silver steel shone brightly in the sunlight from his window revealing any inperfections. A few nicks stood out but nothing he was worried about, Tal sheathed his sword and took his hornbow from the corner and inspected the string that hung on a peg nearby. The string was made of fine horse hair and coated in wax. he had made the string and the bow. With one of the looped hends of the string he put it over one tip of the bow then put that on the floor he bent the bow into shape and hooked the other end of the sting to the top. The looked at the string again and pulled slightly on in to make sure it was tuant. He flung th bow over his back and made his way to the north gate.

Lily approached the crowd upon Azure's back. He walked steadily even with the commotion on the streets. It was indeed a hot day but it was something she had grown used to. The sun shone down on her and her jet black hair looked to have highlights of blue streaks. Her armor reflected bits of light on some of the men and women in the street as she made her way. The longsword she had was evident at her side and the shield she carried was latched to her back. As she entered the crowd, the people parted allowing her through. A knight of the order was not to be kept waiting in this time of need. She watched as a couple guards were dragging a poor cursing boy along behind them. His hands were tied and he looked to be a mere peasant. Disgusted at the treatment of this child she yelled at them from Azure's back, "You there! Release him." She said turning the horse towards them. Even for a women, she was an imposing figure.

"My lady, this boy is a thief and....." He tried to respond.

"What do I care for your words?! Do I say or I shall have you demoted to mere stable man cleaning my horses dung." She said assertively.

Without another word they cut the ropes off the boy. He rubbed his hands and looked up at Lily. From a small pouch on her side she took a couple gold coins and tossed them to him adding, "It's best you pick up some sort of simple work rather than steal the food of another man's hard labor. I would have you tend to my horse before I would allow you to steal food that I have provided for my table. Do you understand what I'm saying to you boy?" He nodded and said thank you under his breath as he ran into town.

Lily turned Azure back towards the gate and urged him on. He went without any hesitation. The area near the gate was more clustered as the guards made the inspections of everyone that was trying to get entry into the castle. One of them immediately noticed Lily's approached. "Make way. I said make way! A knight has arrived. Let her through!" The people slowly moved from in front of her. "Sorry for the delay my lady. Please come through." And so she did. Unlike many others she did not receive the sometimes rude and gruff interrogation of the guards. It could have been because she used to frequent this place with her father when she was younger, or perhaps they knew he had died in the original assault on the castle. Lily did not care as she headed towards the castle. She was here for a call of duty in remembrance of her father.

God damn its hot. He thought as he walked towards the Knight on the horse.

"Ah, such a noble knight." He voice said from beside her steed, a young man stood there. Clad in a black tunic which matched his deep black hair, his silver eyes gleamed in the sunlight like steel. "Its been a while since I have seen one." He said as he strode next to her.

He had gotten past the guards without them seeing him in broad day light, the Knight may not of noticed as well. But it was one of his 'talents'.

He had seen what she had done, and he had liked it. Not a single Knight he had ever met would do such a thing, most were self important jackasses.

"Here on the call of Anthony?" He asked looking at her with his silver eyes, they seemed to be able to see into her soul.

"No matter, its not very important."

(OOC: I'm sorry Orpheus, but it has to be a little longer. At least describe how your character is reacting to the heat, what he is thinking. His movements, or what he had done up to that point. You know, give it some depth. Thank You.)

Fear laughed softly as a knight instructed two guards to release the boy they had just caught. He pulled his leather undershirt out away from his skin for a moment to let the cool air pass through. A loud gong sounded, ending Fear's shift and he waited for his replacement. When the rough shaven guard finally appeared, Fear pushed his way through the people working their way out or in the gate and walked down the dirt street. He kept an ever watchful eye on everything that happened, just a side affect of being a guard, you are always on your toes. He stopped at a vendor who was selling loafs of bread. He purchased a small loaf and some cheese, slicing the bread with his knife and spreading the cheese with a finger. He munched on the bread as he made his way to his destination, his quarters in the barracks. As he weaved his way through the courtyard he accidentally bumped into a ranger going the opposite direction. Fear apologized and kept on his way. He walked into the barracks and made his way to his room. It was at the end of a long hall. He procured a key that he had made and pushed it into a key hole above the door handle, he turned it and opened the door, removing his key and closing the door behind him.


His room was not too large, but not small either. There was a writing desk against the left wall and a simple, straight backed chair in front of it. Both made of a black oak an polished with bee wax. A hard, twin sized bed was slid against the wall opposite the desk. Nothing but a Black blanket, black sheet and brown pillow covered it, all perfectly made. A bookshelf adorned the back wall and several thick books were lined up on it. Two candle sticks adorned with red candles sat on both corners of the desk against the wall. He walked over to the writing desk and opened up a drawer, taking out a pad of paper and a writing quill. He dipped his quill into the inkwell sitting at his right hand and started to scratch down ideas for a story that he would like to write. He had always wanted to write a book, but nothing he could think of sounded good. After crossing out several of his new ideas he sighed and put his writing stuff away and walked back to the courtyard, locking his room behind him.

"Maybe the castle was not such a good idea... I need to relax a little," said Juan to himself. He was feeling hot and tired from his travel, and therefore he was in no condition to present himself before His Majesty the King of Arthine, or before the beautiful ladies of this city. He found a water trough meant for horses, and dismounted his steed. He secured the horse to a nearby post, lightly patting the side of its head. "You'll be here for a while. Drink up; you'll need it." With a smile, he turned and searched for a tavern, his cape floating along as he moved. He was sure that he saw one earlier, on his way in.

"Ah, here we are..." he muttered to himself as he saw it. "Excellent." He stepped inside with a slight smile tucked away in the corners of his lips. Many eyes gazed at him, taking in the curious appearance of this man who dressed in a fashion completely unlike that of a local. Even his cape had something to it that seemed to grab the attention of everyone, even if only for a moment.

He took a seat in front of the counter.

Conversations in this kind of establishment were often alcohol-driven, if not testosterone-driven.

It was here that he felt at home.

Lily's horse had just started to get jittery. He was shaking his head slightly and stomped a couple of his legs into the hard ground. "Easy Azure....." Practically interrupting her she heard a man's voice speak. "Ah, such a noble knight." Turning Azure to his left she faced a young man draped in black clothing that matched his hair, standing now just in front of her.Gray eyes? That's not very common. "Its been a while since I have seen one." He continued to say. He looked like a rouge in her eyes. It appears that this call has drawn more than just soldiers.

"You would do well to keep from sneaking up on people. You've startled my horse and I do not appreciate being approached from behind. I am here for my own accord and it happens to be of the utmost importance." She emphasized the last part because she remembered him referring her response to the 'Call of Anthony' unimportant. "This is a very serious matter at hand. If you truly intend to be apart of it, you will realize this sooner or later. Hopefully sooner for your sake." Before he had the chance to reply, she nudged her horse in the side slightly harder than before and turned him in the direction of the stables. Azure was prompt in his response and was soon cantering his way in the direction she lead him.

At the stables a young stable boy was sitting outside on a crate waiting for any other knights to arrive and relieve themselves of their horses. The smell of hay filled the area as she stopped her horse just outside the stable. She lifted her legs from the stirrup and was soon standing on the ground. Her attention turned to the boy that was now by the horse with its reins in his hands. "Brush and feed him please. If I see that he is well taken care of, I'll have some coin in return for his safe keeping," She said to him.

"Oh of course miss. I do my best I promised. Come on boy, lets go." The boy said smiling with a youthful glow. He soon disappeared into the barn with Azure.

Satisfied with leaving her horse in good hands, Lily decided it was time to kick up her feet and perhaps find place to sleep.A mug of ale wouldn't hurt either. Walking away from the castle she looked for a familiar place called the 'Lonely Knights Bar'. They had a few rooms upstairs and good ale on tap. Making her way she smiled at the children that occasionally gawked at the sight of a knight and said 'hi' to those that waved and said hello. Soon enough she came across a building with a sign of man who looked like a knight holding a longsword that gazed up at a moon. This is it.

She walked into the bar and the smell of ale assaulted her senses. Many people were in the tavern tonight, probably because of the 'Call' that was issued. Immediately she was approached by what looked like a common guard. "Heyyy therrr perty lady....." Lily turned to face the obviously drunk man. He put his arm around her waist. She scowled at him and elbowed him in the torso. Turning to face him on full, she did a quick hard upper cut with her gauntlet to his chin. He fell back far onto a table unconscious and simply rolled onto the floor with a loud *thud*. "Hmph. Have some respect!" A roar of laughter came from the people who directly surrounded her. It died down again as she went to the bar and sat at a stool.

She called to the tavern keeper and ask for a mug of ale while setting a couple coins on the counter. A few stools down from her sat an unusually dress man probably from another country. She simply disregarded him as another traveller or adventurer that had come to aid in the 'call'.

The man in black was there as well, sitting in a corner drinking from his mug of ale. It didn't really do much for him, his training made him close to immune to alcohol.

Only the really hard stuff would do anything, and only in large quantities. Something about the coming battle made him want to drink, drink and forget everything he had done.

So, he ordered the hardest drink they had and chugged it. He was soon approached by the bar maid, who was surprised at how many empty mugs there were.

"Sir, I think you have had enough." She said looking at him concerned, trying to grab the mug from him. "Not even close." He said taking a drink from it, emptying it. "But I will quit, I'd rather not run the tavern dry." He said smiling. "Mind getting me something to eat?" He asked, she smiled and walked away. Soon returned with a plate of meat and bread. "Thank you." He said before he started to eat.

Juan took notice of every new face that entered the tavern. He drank the ale in his mug, taking care not to spill any or let any get stuck at the corners of his lips. He was careful not to allow any drink or food to soil his clothing.

A fine young lady had entered the tavern. Almost as soon as she had, a drunken man had approached her, attempting in vain to speak to her with his slurred speech and dulled senses. Juan almost laughed when she gave him a beating. It truly intrigued him; he absolutely loved women who were full of spirit. She did not seem like one to trifle with, and he had no intentions whatsoever of mistreating any woman he came across, regardless of her treatment towards him. He looked at her, intrigued by the way she dressed and moved. She seemed to be very athletic, from the way she stood and walked. He put his index finger to his bearded chin, resting his elbow on the counter. With furrowed eyebrows and a tentative grin, he observed her as she approached the counter. She sat a few stools away away from him, called out to the keeper for some ale, and while waiting she observed her surroundings.

Then she looked at him for a brief moment.

At that precise moment, he made eye contact and maintained his expression temporarily. Then he let it give way to a natural, mischievous smile, taking care not to come off as a stalker. She looked away, at the mug of ale before her and started drinking it. She did not give any obvious reaction, though he was not looking for any.

Oh well.

"Men of the world seem to lack proper manners these days," he said to himself, but he was certain he was loud enough for at least the fair - or rather, tanned - lady to hear.

"Yeah? Well it doesn't seem like you've got any yourself, traveller, talking about our people like this," a loud and boisterous man exclaimed, seated between himself and the woman.

"Oh, my apologies. I seem to keep forgetting my manners. Perhaps I didn't bring it today. I have come a long way from Andalusia, on my travels," he replied with a grin. He was not one to let criticism get the better of him. In fact, he loved letting it come his way. "My name is Juan."

"Juan? Are you the Don Juan? Don Juan the seducer that the rumours all over the continent have talked about for years?"

"I am but a simple traveller. Don Juan's name is legend, even in my home country," he replied, keeping his smile.

"Heh. You don't seem like the type anyway," said the man with a dismissive look, downing some ale. "Don Juan is much taller by half a foot, he's much bigger and sounds like a better fighter than you look. At least, that's what I heard. You would fit in at a carnival of fools."

Juan chuckled, keeping his eyes on the man. "It seems that my talents could be used for the betterment of the common man's life," he said with complete confidence.

"Mehh, you just don't give up, do you? You're an interesting one. You don't defend yourself. It would seem that you enjoy making a fool out of yourself, too."

"Of course. It would not be so interesting - and also an affront to my nature - if I were to simply give in, go to a tavern and drown my sorrows in ale and tears. A man who cannot laugh at himself is no better than a fool," Juan stated, to which the other man laughed.

"Hah! You truly are an interesting character." The man stood up, pushing the empty mug further in. "If fate will have it, I shall see you again."

"If fate will have it." Juan smiled with a nod, returning to his ale after the man turned and made his way out.

Fear made his way around the city, feeling the day become cool. He decided that now would be a good time to get and get something to eat and drink. So he decided to make his way to his favorite bar. The Lonely Knight. He meandered over to the bar he was looking for and opened the door. His normal guard reactions took play and he noted the contents. Mostly the bar was made up of the usual drunks sitting at random tables and talking boisterously. A few tables were taken up by card players, and only a few people lurked at the bar. A knight, A woman Knight? Fear noted. Not many of those around now a days. A couple of stools down was a bearded man looking at the Knight closely. In the corner of the bar a man sat in black, trying to blend in, doing it effectively at that, but Fear was always sharp.

He made his way to an empty table and the waitress bustles up to him. "Good evening Nathan. The usual?" She asked.

"You know me." Came Nathan's reply and she hurried off into the kitchens. Nathan sighed and looked down at his table. It was a rather large round one with empty chair surrounding it and a long piece of paper sitting in the middle. He slid the paper over to him and scanned the flier. It was from King Tar'Von, he was looking for volunteers to take out the Erinon Bridge. I heard it was taken over, but I don't believe they actually have it! He thought to himself. It strictly told any volunteers to report to the Main Castle Courtyard at noon the next day. He nodded to himself, this was finally his chance for some action. He pushed the paper away from his as the waitress arrived with his usual, a pint of their best ale and a steaming plate of spiced potatoes, a few thick slices of roast beef, some peas, and a pile of corn. He grabbed the fork and started to eat. He took a deep drink of ale and sighed. The Lonely Knight had some of the best ale in all of Aslothon.
He looked around again as the knight received her drink. A good place to relax He thought to himself.

Tal Paced the wall as he had for the last four hours survaying the land. Nothing ineresting had happened so far and it seemed as though it would be a dull and dreary day. Tal stooped and looked to the sky to see a large falcon flying circles almost directly over where he had stopped. He sighed in thought, 'To be free as a bird that will be me someday. Why did I do this to myself? Well I will be free or dead atop this bloody wall. And what was that guards bloody problem trying to run me over in the street. Bloody blademaster think with only there muscles, no brain for the lot of them so long as they can hack people up. Bloody moron.' He turned to start his slow and tedious walk back toward the other tower when he heard someone shout his name. He turned slowly to see the Gate captain standing in the doorway. "Sir?" He asked.

"Hey one of the others in the archer ranks missed his shift the otherday due to illness. he wants to work some extra hours how does goin home sound?" Tal looked at him levelly and nodded then made his way to the door pushing past the gate captain murmering a thank you to him. Walking down the winding staircase he finally noticed that the heat had broke and it was cooling outside. As he stepped out the door at the bottom tal looked to the sun and it had indeed been half his shift almost on the dot. He grunted happy to be leaving the wall behind him tal walked back into town. The roar of city life had dulled some but was still very present. Tal started his trek back to the barraks but on his way he saw the sign for the Lonely Knight and stopped contimplating whether he should go home or just drink.

finally he made up his mind and walked to the doors opening them quickly. As soon as everything came into veiw he knew that he should have went home. The guard that had tried to run him down sat at an empty table, a knight at the bar the foregeiner and unless he missed his guess completely an assasin maybe rouge sat off to the side. Other then these four all were common visiters and all had problably spent all there money. Tal walked wordlessly to the bar standing next the the knight who sat herself on a stool. He did not look her way instead waved silently to the keeper of the establishment. "Get me something to eat and a mug of your finest ale."With this the barkeep scurried off to return shortly. As he made his way to an empty table a swarm of men occupied every seat. Sighing to himself he started off toward the table the guard was sitting. He set his plate down and took a long drink of his ale.

He looked across the table to the guard that sat where a peice of paper lay in the center, he knew it to be a flier for the calling of the bridge attack. He huffed and ate his bread, "Your not seriously thinking of joining that campaign are you? Its complete suicide no four hundred men can take that. Not in this life time." He took another long drink and a bite of the meat which he just now noticed to be roast.

The guard looked to him over his pint and replied, "I'm looking to find some action away from this boring city, all i do is stand and watch people come and go from the gates why stay here when i have a chance to fight." He returned to his meal and drink.

Tal shook his head, "what was your bloddy problem earlier in the courtyard you nearly ran me over." He took the flier in hand as he asked the question reading over it. He sighed knowing that tomarrow he would be in this court yard at the designated time. 'Why the bloody hell do I continue to do this to myself' he thought and bit into a hunk of meat.


(ooc: Me and unforgiven planned this conversation before hand so I am not breaking rules.)

The heat had made Felicien thirsty, about twenty minutes ago he had struggled getting up, stepped out of the cool shade and entered the reach of the scorching sun. By this time, his body became drenched in sweat, Felicien's home in the North had a much cooler climate. The man wasted no time, he cooled the water on his skin and the drops sliding down his body felt pleasant. Felicien pitied the common man without this ability, working on such a warm day without water manipulation must be tough. Ah, the world was harsh on them, but it was no different.

Felicien entered the gates, flashing Anthony's sign to a guard. All soldiers had gotten one to identify their selves as part of the army and most wore it with pride, Felicien however, hid it for most of the time and mainly used it for a quick entrance into town. There he stood and Felicien quickly moved into the shade of the buildings, the shadows were short, noon already. Felicien strayed through the streets, hoping to find a tavern of some kind. He was in luck, across the end of the street, 'Bar the lonely knight' was written on a sign just in front of the building. "A drink ought to be refreshing." thought the marquees as he opened the door.

"Hail!" Felicien shouted jovially waving an arm in the air, few men and women looked up and glanced at him. In a fluent movement Felicien walked towards the bar, slammed his fist on the counter and yelled out to the bartender, maintaining the jovial fashion;

"Barman, I'll have an ale!"

When the bartender brought Felicien his drink, he raised his hand, dropping the few coins he was holding from his fist and grabbed the glass in his hand. He took a mouthful, gargled shortly and swallowed.

"Not bad, not bad." Felicien mumbled. He looked around the room it was filled with many men, mainly soldiers, a knight, few men that appeared to be regular costumers but what caught his attention was a strangely dressed individual sitting two chairs away from him.

"Greetings!" he bellowed and approached the man. "I am Marquees Felicien Achille Beauvais." Felicien reached out his hand. "What brings an Andalusian to a city like this?"

OOC: Please stop calling Nathan 'Fear', seriously, it makes you sound like the stereotype ten-year-old trying to make his character sound cool. I'm fine if you're using his entire last name, but really man, you're oughta stop that.

OOC: If there's anything wrong with my post, do let me know.

Can't have much character interaction without a little control here and there, but rules are rules I guess.


IC:


"I extend my greetings, Don Beauvais," Juan said as he took hold of the man's hand, shaking it with a wide grin. Felicien did not seem to take it very well. Perhaps he was irritated by something else. Maybe he had had a bad day. By the looks of it, he did not seem at all pleased by his current situation in this city.

"I would prefer if you addressed me by my title," Felicien replied as their hands separated.

"In Andalusia, we address every respectable gentleman and nobleman as 'Don'. It seems we have more to learn about each other's cultures. What gives you the impression that I am from Andalusia?" Indeed, he did wonder how this man could see so clearly that he was an Andalusian, aside from his clothing. That aside, he was not about to let anyone ruin his last-minute, magnificent entry into the royal court. He would not have anyone find out more about him than was necessary, especially not the fact that he was a nobleman of his nation. "And what about you? What brings a fine gentleman such as yourself here to this city, Don Beauvais?"

He awaited the gentleman's answer, putting a finger on his bearded chin and looking at him in the eyes, studying his expression in depth. This man seemed to have an interesting air about him.

Lily received her ale from the barkeep. She heard the man just a few stools down say something about the way men have been lacking in manners these days. Your damn right. After taking a large drink of the strong and fine tasting ale she turned back to the bartender. "You always give me the best Tom. Even in the different cities I've been in lately they ain't got the stuff like this." She said pointing to her drink. "It wouldn't be the same if I didn't have this place to come home to." She took another big drink and felt herself loosen up a bit.

"You can come here anytime Lily. You know that. How've you been holdin' up any how? It's gotta be difficult coming home and findin' your entire life has changed and you ain't even been around." He started as he wiped out a mug with a cloth behind the counter.

"Yeah. Thanks for reminded me," Lily replied with a disheartened look and tone.

Setting the mug down he patted her shoulder as he spoke. "Keep your hopes up kiddo. So are ya going to volunteer for the bridge?"

Looking up at him with a cocked eye brow, "What are you talking about Tom? You mean the 'call'?"

He set his elbows down on the counter, "No. You didn't hear? There askin' for a group of people to go down to the Erinon Bridge and retake it."

She pondered this a while and spoke, "I can't believe those bastard didn't tell me. Damn! They think just because I'm a woman and my pa just died, I gonna be your typical damsel in distress. I'm gonna rip them a new....."

"Now Lily, they're just lookin out for ya. I know you don't need any lookin out fer but most people do take some time off when their last living parent passes ya know." He said cutting her off.

Responding to his statement, "Not in a time of war Tom. There are responsibilities ones must see to before attending to personal obligations."

"You sound like your father my dear. If ya want to see the flier, there's one on the table over there. See that man over there? That's Nathan Feartho. Becoming quite a regular he is. Anyway, there's more information there." He pointed in the direction of the table. A large piece of paper sat in front of the man.

"I'll do just that, but after you fill me up on that ale. Oh and I'll need a room for the night if you don't mind." Smiling she handed him her mug and he took it nodding just behind the counter and filled it back up for her. Tossing him a few more coins she got up from the stool and moved towards the table. Some of the belligerent men she had passed looked ready to approach her. A stern look from her however made them think they had better not. It wasn't that she disliked men, but she didn't tolerate a pass from a common drunkard, especially someone of her stature. It wasn't that because she found titles were important to her but she did demand a certain amount of respect. Even it if was just as a person.

At the table the man was eating what looked like a hearty meal. Not wanting to interrupt him, she simply moved to one of his front sides making herself obvious. She only said, "Excuse me," as she moved forward to grab the piece of paper. Reading through it thoroughly she thought to herself. Noon tomorrow aye? I think I'll be there.

This man, fancy clothes, flowery speech, but yet had the manners of an ordinary man. Every one of proper offspring would have granted Felicien his or her name. The young man was knocked out of his flow for a moment and it showed in his face, but quickly recovered.

"Don Beauvais' it is then." Felicien replied. He paused a moment to take another mouthful of his ale, then looked straight back in the eyes of this strange gentleman, which were piercing deep into those of his own. Felicien smiled, this man was playing games, amusing fellow, he had to give him that.

"And honestly dear man, your clothing gives you away. As does your ring, I recognise the carvings, the Eduardo crest, is it not?"

The man smiled, which Felicien assumed was a confirmation, then he spoke once again; "And what about you? What brings a fine gentleman such as yourself here to this city, Don Beauvais?"

He put his glass back on the table and twisted it between his fingers, not looking away from the man next to him. Felicien shook his head, the manners of a commoner indeed. The members of the Eduardo family Felicien had met were a tad eccentric in his eyes, but all of them had showed proper etiquettes and respect, however brief their meetings had been.

"Don Eduardo, I believe that was my question." Felicien's voice had gotten a deeper and more serious sound to it now. He still stared deep into eyes behind the mask and then he felt the moisture air in the tavern. The heat of the sun had also reached into the building and much of the poured liquid must have evaporated. A sudden plan struck Felicien, this man was playing games, but not only he could do so.

"A question, you have not answered yet. Perhaps, it is a matter you would not like to discuss publicly? Is there, Don Eduardo, something you hide?"

While asking this question, Felicien had stared even deeper into the other man's eyes, leading the attention away from his hand as he made a few, fluid movements and thus condensed some of the damp onto Do Eduardo's skin. The water would feel like sweat, Felicien wondered what the man's reaction would be, would he feel panic, insecurity or would he ward it off as the heat? Felicien had trouble keeping a broad smile off his lips.

OOC: See how much can change if you give another person the chance to write him/herself? I think this should be much more fun to reply to

OOC: Interesting indeed. I'd like to see where this goes.

IC:

"My compliments, Don Felicien, for your impeccable skill in observation," said Juan. His grin was now lopsided and he angled his head a little, maintaining eye contact with the man. "Indeed, it is the Eduardo family seal. Yet, who is to say that I am, for sure, who I say I am, and not a mere brigand who stole the man's belongings?" He began to feel rather warm and wet, and he thought it odd that even in the shelter of the building, he would feel as such. However, he dismissed it as perspiration. He was accustomed to it, having spent some time in deserts. A large part of the kingdom of Andalusia was a desert, as well. Extremes of weather were not alien to him; Andalusia was generally warm in the summer, and cold in the winter.

Judging from the way he was behaving and speaking, Felicien was playing the same game. All the better, he decided. The more participants, the more fun. He seemed, however, to not appreciate being addressed as 'Don Beauvais'.

"Perhaps it is a matter I do not wish to discuss in public, for fear of incurring the wrath of many. Or perhaps I am sworn to secrecy. Maybe I am just afraid, and cower behind my mask and cape, shrouded in mystery, an enigma to the world around me." Juan pulled the cape over the lower half of his face as he mentioned the article of clothing, holding it there for a few moments and finishing his sentence before releasing it. He particuarly enjoyed making fun of himself, because it very often served to disarm the other party. "I have come from Andalusia to play games, as I have wherever I have travelled." He raised his eyebrows with another one of his mischievous grins, putting his fingertips together to form a shape like that of a church steeple, placing his forearms on his thighs. "Or have I?"

He observed Felicien, who seemed to be amused at the man making a fool out of himself. To his mind, Felicien seemed a tad aloof, but at the same time entertained. He was fulfilling his goal - he aimed to enjoy the company of others, but made it a point to ensure that others enjoyed his company, whether because they appreciated his character, or because they found him worthy of a good laugh.

In the end, as long as he enjoyed himself, that was all that mattered. He had no need to prove himself or his intentions to others. Don Juan answered only to God above and to himself. That was the Eduardo family's unspoken creed - it was unorthodox and seemed lacking in decorum, but it was something that appealed to Juan.

Nathan watched the knight stand up after a gesture from the barman and make her way over to the table, glaring at any drunk who might even think of touching her. "Excuse me." She said and she grabbed the paper from the table. Nathan smiled into his ale as he took another drink and motioned for a refill. He took no more notice of the knight as he received his refill. Instead he focused on the man sitting across from him.

"what was your bloody problem earlier in the courtyard you nearly ran me over." yes. that was the question. He took a slow bite of corn and set down his fork.

"Yes I do apologize for that. I was eager to be in my room again. And I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention." He spread his arms wide with a sigh. It is very hot today he thought to himself. He took another mouthful of beef and realized how cold it had gotten. With a sigh he ran his hand over top of it and made it look like he was stretching. The beef suddenly began to steam. He smiled to himself and took a bite of the now hot beef.

"And It would seem that it just wasn't me not paying attention," Nathan stated, "You had plenty of time to move out of the way yourself." He indulged in a drink of ale and looked about the room once more. Two men were talking at the bar, one man was particularly sweaty. The game of cards had turned into a near brawl as one man accused the other of cheating, the barman had to rush to break it up. He rested his left hand on the hilt of his sword once more. Sometimes it feels as though guard duty never ends.

He relaxed as the barman pushed the two men out of the bar and returned to the bar. Just another night in The Lonely Knight.

Tal looked to the woman knight that picked the flier off the table just after he had set it back on the table. She had a look as though this was her duty to be in. 'why would a knight join a damn bridge company?' He though to himself as he heard the cuardsmen across the table speak, "Yes I do apologize for that. I was eager to be in my room again. And I'm afraid I wasn't paying attention." The man stretched and then ate some more of his food before he finished. "And It would seem that it just wasn't me not paying attention, You had plenty of time to move out of the way yourself."

Tal almost luaghed aloud he had been distracted on his way to work the man did seem to have keen senses to pick up his distraction on such a breif meeting. "Aye, your right I was distracted. You are much sharper then most swordsmen I have seen. I am Tal, Ranger by trade archer by draft." Tal saw the odd look on the others face but dismissed it.

The man looked up from his plate with a grin. "Nice to meet you Tal i am Nathan Feartho, Blademaster of the arthine army."

Tal then turned his attention on the Knight standing nearby to the table still staring at the flier. "And who might you be? Take a seat please stay for some conversation." Tal kicked a chair out from the table right next to her so she could sit. He put on a pleasant smile though he had seen the glare she gave others so he kept it plesant. "I assume that you will be at the courtyard tomarrow at noon as well?"

Tal looked back to his plate of now cold meats and picked the bread and cheese off it eating it, he pushed the rest away.

Nathan looked over his shoulder at the night for a moment then almost choked on his beef in surprise. His head whipped back around to Tal as the man pushed his plate away.

"You're going? So much for a suicide campaign." Nathan remarked. He took another drink of ale and finished off his last piece of beef. The day had cooled considerably but the bar was still hot. He pulled his undershirt away from his skin once more and let it snap back, pushing out warmth. I feel rather sorry for the knight, she must be sweltering underneath all of that armor. He pushed it from his mind and consumed a bite of peas.

Tal laughed "I don't know why I am going but something in me is making me go. Could still be suicide." He paused a moment then quoted the passage again from his book. ''In times of strife i will lose myself in the current that is war. War will consume my body and mind and I shall be lost to it. My only release will be my death on blood soaked battlefields.'

"I see. Well, it doesn't matter. But it seems we shall be traveling together. Where are you from?" Nathan asked as he, too pushed his plate away. The waitress rushed up and removed the plates. Nathan took another drink and set his mug down. Indeed the finest ale in the land.

"A small village to the west called Reinir, nothing to do there but farm and die." He took a long drink then looked to the knight once more. "And yourself?"

"I come from a small, eastern farming village called Palon. I didn't farm though. My father and I smithed, after he came out of the army." Nathan replied.

Tal nodded and turned to the knight "What of you?"

Nathan realized that he was out of the conversation for a bit and took a long drink and motioned for the waitress. "Can you get me a simple mug of water?" He asked as he handed her the empty mug. She nodded and walked behind the bar, seconds later she returned with his mug of water. No need to get drunk when I shall be getting up and going to meet the king tomorrow. He thought as he took a drink of the cold water.

"Very simple, Don Eduardo. A mere brigand's speech cannot match that of a nobleman such as yourself. Nor have you paid much attention to my possessions, not even a quick scan of anything but my face. This indicates that you are neither envious nor greedy, traits common to thieves. I daresay you are not even interested in what I may carry with me, very unusual for a commoner."

Of course, Felicien might be wrong, perhaps this man had a history with the Eduardo family and pretended to be a member of it, giving them a bad name by conversing the way he did. Maybe he wore the mask because his face would betray his identity as an enemy, to the Eduardo family or perhaps even to Arthine. Felicien decided the true identity of this man was not of major concern, he had approached him for a conversation and the two were having quite the one.

“However your mask puzzles me. You do ridicule your name, perhaps you are not the man I think you are, but another whom holds a grudge to the Eduardo family. It should not concern me much should it?”

Felicien finished his drink, all the talking had made his throat rather dry and the ale flowing down felt good.

“As for answering my question, I will answer yours. I have come to the aid of king Anthony Tar'Von, my family empathises with his suffering and has sent a squadron of men and myself. Perhaps, this is one of the games you speak of, perhaps not. But unfortunately, it has been rather quiet till now.”

The bartender had overheard the two men and asked whether they would participate in the recapture of the bridge.

“Marquees, if you please. But what did you speak of? Retaking the bridge of Erinon?” Felicien asked.

“Yes, marquees, there is a flier on the table over there. Our king is recruiting brave men and women for this mission.”

“Interesting,” Felicien said, “I think I’ll have a look at it in a minute, but first; Barkeep, another ale. One for me and one for my mysterious friend!”

OOC: I thought we might want to catch up with the others a bit

Lily was lost in thought as she tried to imagine how the bridge looked. She couldn't picture it but that didn't surprise her. It had been since she was a child when she was last there. The sound of a chair moving and the conversation of the men who sat near by shook her out of thought. "Hmm?" She said looking quizzically at them. Then she realized the last thing one of them had said was directed at her. The man with red hair who she thought had called himself Tal had spoken to her first. His smile was that of a genuine nature and so in return offered an apologetic one.

"You'll have to excuse my rudeness." Extending her hand to the man, she introduced herself before taking a seat. "My name is Lillian Lochart of the First Knights Order. It's a pleasure to meet your acquaintances." She shook the man's hand and turned to shake the others. Making herself comfortable, she took a seat. "As for being at the courtyard at noon, I believe I will be." She said not offering a reason why. Perhaps if I get to know them better, they can know me more personally. The other she knew as Nathan, seemed surprised at the idea of voluntarily going and she also noticed that he was perspiring while making an effort to cool himself. She was comfortable even in her armor. After all, her torso was bare below her chest and above her waist. Not to mention she was fairly adapt to the weather here.

Listening as the two discussed their origins, she heard that they were both from farming villages. Quaint.. "What of you?" Tal had asked her.

"I was born and raised in this very city, along side my father who was also a knight of the order. You don't see many of us around too much anymore." She offered and took another drink of her ale. "The heat doesn't bother me too much like it does for some others." She added giving Nathan a slight wink.

[ooc: I assumed your characters would return her offer for a hand shake.]

Nathan listened as Lillian explained her heritage. He kind of zoned for a moment but snapped back to consciousness as he heard, "The heat doesn't bother me too much like it does for some others." . He turned to look at Lillian.

"You don't know how lucky you are. My armor is quite hot. I'm not going to lie." He exclaimed. He looked out of a window to his right. Night was falling. I have to be going soon... he thought to himself. "I myself prefer the much cooler climate. It makes wearing tight fitting armor like this a little more comfortable." He said as he picked at his leather vest.

"By the way, my name, as I think you already know, is Nathan Feartho, Blade Master of the Arthine Army, and one of the guards of the Northern Gate. This here is Tal. He is a Ranger by trade and Archer by draft. " Nathan said, nodding over at Tal.

He took a drink of water to wet his throat and turned back to Lillian, stretching extensively. "It has been a long, hot day. I would really enjoy talking to you some more but... I must get back to the barracks if I want to have any energy for tomorrow." Said Nathan as he finished off his drink. "Tal, Lillian, good to meet the both of you. Hopefully we shall have some time to talk tomorrow. Till then." He nodded to each and, with that, strode up to the bar. He handed a few gold coins over to the barman and made his way out the door. The night was indeed darker than it had seemed. He made his way down the sun baked, dirt road and took a right, heading towards the barracks courtyard. It would be a particularly long walk.

As he walked, he noticed 4 figures following him. Their stealthy footsteps reaching his ears. He stopped abruptly and twisted around, pretending to crack his back. He glanced swiftly. Yes, four people. He thought. He started walking again, as did those behind them. He eyed the houses on either side of him and quickly slipped in to a wide, pitch black alley. He heard those behind him follow. When he reached he end of the ally, he spun around. Fire snapped into existence in his right palm as he held it before him, illuminating those following him. The four men each had a long sword. They were dressed in torn peasant clothes. He faced the four barred blades calmly.

"Can I help you gentle men?" He asked softly.

"You know who we are!" One of the men said fiercely.

"Yes I do. I caught you guys trying to smuggle an assassin into the North Gate in a wagon. The assassin was executed and you guys went to jail. May I ask, how long were you in there?" Came Nathans ever so calm reply.

"Over a month! Have you ever been in there?!?" The man yelled.

"Shhh, you might want to keep your voices down. It would be a shame for you to get caught before you have a chance to kill me." Nathan chuckled. The four men stepped forward in unison. Nathan threw the fireball at a container of trash on the left side of the alley, making it burst into flame and having it illuminate the alley. He whipped his word out of it's sheath and blocked a slash that would have rent his head. He swung his sword in a fluid motion and bashed the mans sword to the left and followed up with a kick to the chest. The latter fell back. Nathan spun to the left, blocking a lunge, the jumped over a blade that was aimed at his legs. The four attackers, however, were slow. Nathan quickly smacked one of the attackers in the face with the flat of his blade, spun and uppercut another with the hilt of his sword, and redirected another lunge. Before the man had time to react, Nathan bashed him in the face with a left hook. But at the same time of him doing that, he gasped in pain as a sword lanced across his right forearm. He spun around, kicked the man's hand so that the sword went flying, and cleaved his head from his neck. The head and body dropped at the same time. Nathan swung his head around. All of his opponents were down, three of the four no more than knocked out. He doubted that they would come after him again. He wiped his sword off on a rag that he kept in a pouch and re-sheathed it.

He took a few moments to examine his cut. It was not very deep at all. It hit him just as he threw the left hook, so his arm had pulled away from the blade. He pulled off the leather glove on his right hand, put some spit on his fingers, and covered the one and a half inch wound with it, to stop it from bleeding too bad. And with that, he walked out of the alley and made his way back to the barracks, the trash still burning behind him. I never really have had to use my fire abilities before He thought. I could have roasted them in a second. God dang it I didn't want any of them to die. Next time I will just have to control my temper. A few minutes later, he found himself in his room. He removed all of his armor and weapons till he was down in his small clothes. He crawled onto the hard bed, under the covers, and went to sleep.

(OOC: I will not post again untill all of you guys have gone to bed as well, so that we all arrive on the next day at the same time.)

"Hoho, I addressed you - unless I am mistaken - by your given name, Don Felicien. Perhaps you might have the courtesy to do the same," said Juan, bearing his eternal grin. "I thank you for the ale - I will not refuse, but I do not wish to drink any more than this. It is unbecoming of any man to bear the smell of alcohol wherever he goes."

It seemed that it had indeed worked, as it almost always did. Self-deprecating humour was one of his favourites. Felicien, at least, did not seem hostile towards him, but rather enjoyed the entire conversation so far. The two men drank heartily.

"Ah, Don Felicien, forgive me, but I must go. I have overstayed," said Juan a moment after finishing his ale. He rose from the stool, planting his feet on the ground. He took a step away from the counter, facing Felicien. He brought his left hand to his abdomen and bowed slightly from the waist, as a way of thanking Felicien for his company. The glint in his eyes and the spirit behind his smile would tell Felicien all that he wanted to express. He straightened his back and paced in the direction of the door, keeping an eye out for the lady knight.

She seemed to be an interesting character to him, different from many women of this day and of her age. She seemed to be on a whole different level altogether.

He saw her at a table with another man - he had noticed the other take his leave earlier - and broadened his smile, not knowing and not concerned about whether or not she saw it. He maintained his pace, with his cape following behind him, and walked out the door. He knew not whether Felicien had realised by now his intentions, but he had a feeling that the man was smart enough to deduce for himself.

He had been here for only half a day, and already there were such interesting people around. He could not help but wonder what the future had in store for him. As far as he he was concerned, the only mystery greater than he was the future - the unknown.

Juan grinned to himself as he went to look for an inn. He did not want to stay in such close proximity to the Lonely Knight Bar if he could help it. Ale did wonders to remove social barriers, but it also served to dull a man's senses. He did not want to draw too much attention to his presence before his dramatic entry.

And when he did find an inn, he paid for a room for the night. There was plenty of space; the war had driven a lot of customers away. He headed into the room, removing his cape and hat, placing them on a round wooden table nearby. He placed his rapier next to his bed. It stood in its sheath, on its pointed end. The Damascus steel blade. in its sheath, went underneath the pillow. He rested first without closing his eyes, thinking back on what had happened earlier in the day.

Then, slowly but surely, sleep took over his senses.

Tal listened to Lillian as she spoke and when she finished with a remark and a wink to Nathan he smiled into his mug as he drained the contents completely. He set the mug back down and slid it to the middle of the table just as nathan stood to leave. Saying his fairwell Tal murmed one back then watched as he walked out of the tavern. Tal sat a moment in sileince then looked to the knight, "From what I heard you have been gone for sometime. Might i inquire as to where?" Tal noted one of the finely dressed men walk out of the tavern and smile to Lillian. He shook his head, 'They act as if females are rare I admit a female knight is but come on.' He thought to himself.

Tal motioned to the barkkep and one of the waitresses came at almost a run, "I mug for the both of us please." She nodded and ran off to get more ale. Suddenly a man took hold of the back of Tals chair and pulled it away from the table. Tal stood quickly and rounded on the man, this man had drank more then his share of the ale that night and tal knew that he was looking for a fight. "May I help you kinda sir?" Tal asked in a level tone.

"You... bloody ##### idiot." The man hicupped and stumbled as the raised his fists as though to fight. "How can you think you can sit with this pretty lass when she laid out my brother." The man looked over his shoulder to his brother that had regained consessness moments ago. Tal sighed and grabbed his chair as though to sit down. The man threw a wild punch and Tal cuaght his fist and turned his wrist. The man stumbled and fell face first on the floor only to find that his arm was being wrench around behind him and a foot placed in the middle of his shoulders.

"You are the bloody fool. You are so drunk you can barely stand up to piss I am sure let alone fight. Even if this woman were interested in you there is no doubt that you would not be able to preform let alone walk her home." Tal pulled a little more on his arm and continued, "You saw what she did to your brother i am half tempted to let her do the same to you but instead I will let you off easy you and your Kin carry eachother home and snuggle with each other and you may survive this encounter." Tal let go of his arm and picked the man up by his collar. "Now leave." Tal pushed the man toward the door to see his brother stagger toward him and they did as he said and helped each other walk. He wondered now if they would actually cuddle.

Rounding back at the table he turned to an amuzed look and shrugged, "You can still beat them to a pulp if you wish to chase them." He started to seat himself as the bartender appeared to his left. Tal stood and gave a slight bow, "Sorry for the trouble I will be on my way shortly." Tal handed him a few extra coins and did not take his seat, "Then tomarrow we will set out Lady Lillian of the First Order." He bowed and stepped away form the table and went out the door.

The men who had just left looked over there shoulders to see Tal come out the door and tried to run but ended on their faces. He shook his head and went toward the barraks. He took the long way back and had an uneventful walk back. He opened his door and went straight to bed.

"Strange fellow." Felicien thought, finishing his ale in a slower pace. For a man of water-manipulation, there were ways to get rid of unwanted smells, sometimes he had forgotten for how many common problems he used it, to cool down, mask aromas even playing with the liquid in his glass and all of that had been today alone.

Felicien stood up, he would take a look at the flier the bartender had mentioned Felicien greeted the woman sitting at the table and picked up the paper. After talking about it Don Eduardo had taken it's leave quite suddenly. Perhaps Felicien had indeed perceived him, being a man such as Felicien described or perhaps he did not like the subject of the bridge as he had his own plans for showing up there, in which case he would indeed be of the Eduardo family. No man would go as far as putting his life at risk in a battlefield to ridicule a name. Which of the two it was, it depended on whether the man would come to the castle tomorrow. Curiosity plagued Felicien, he would be part of the company at any case, proving his worth as a warrior, breaking the drag of boredom and now also to confirm a feeling about the masked man. Three good reasons in total, he decided as laid the flier back on the table. He then noticed the woman sitting there was a knight.

"Excuse my poor manners milady." Felicien spoke and made a bow. "I am Felicien Achille Beauvais, marquees of a faraway land, pleased to make your acquaintance."

As the woman rose up from her seat, Felicien noticed something odd. Her armour only reached so far, revealing much of her body. Felicien wondered how many more odd figures he would run into today, but this woman, he had seen her fighting off a man before. No wonder, being dressed like that one should realise she would attract the eye of many men. She had it coming.

Felicien rose to meet the woman's face, he extended his hand and quickly slipped a finger besides her waist.

"If a man can lay his hand on your skin, steel should find touching to be ten times easier." Felicien smiled and turned, not looking at the woman's reaction, which would be unpleasant most likely. "Farewell milady, consider my advice, well-meant."

And with that, Felicien marched out of the tavern, waving without looking back. Into the light of day again, he wandered through the city, but there was little that fascinated Felicien. The marquees entered an inn and paid for a room. Tomorrow should prove entertaining he thought.

OOC:
Talietzin: Did Juan give out his name to Felicien at all? I know he did in the original but I believe he didn't after your edit. Doesn't matter much though.

Lady Alora: Sorry to bring the argument over to the IC thread, I just wanted to illustrate my PoV. Don't feel forced to change it later on, but please do consider it a weakness.
I also find it interesting to make your character hate mine right off the bat
Lastly, I hope you don't mind me controlling Lily as much as making a stance but I wanted to wrap the post up asap to move on with the story.

The man in black watched this all with a smile, it seemed this bridge problem will need his skills.

He put his empty mug onto the table, paid for his meal and a room and walked towards the knight. And walked past her, but not without revealing his presence.

"I'll see you at the bridge, as a comrade." He said as he stood next to her. "The name is Vincent, member of the Crosen Moon." He said, leaving her side.

For he had just revealed what he was, for the Crosen Moon were a notorious, almost legendary group of assassins.

He smiled as he opened the door to his room, then he slowly undressed. Revealing a scarred and war torn body. His price for being a member of the Crosen Moon, their training was harsh.

And many did not survive it, and those who did. Were left deadly and scarred.

She faired goodnight to Nathan as he left. Watching him go she saw the other man who was bar before also leaving, and curiously looking in her direction with a wide grin. She returned his expression with a raised eyebrow and a half smile. I imagine he is a character of sorts. He also walked out of the tavern. Turning her attention back to Tal who still sat, she overheard him order a couple more mugs of ale. Glancing at her own she noticed it was still a quarter of the way full. She picked it up and emptied the rest of the contents as another, drunk looking man approached.

Tal had taken the initiative in handling the man. Apparently the one who had approached her when she first entered had had a brother. Watching as Tal disposed of him she laughed lightly, sounding somewhat like a girlish giggle. It was nice to have someone else do the dirty work for once. Soon before she knew it, it was Tal now that was leaving. She bid him goodnight and after he left, the barmaid returned looking confused. "Are these for you then miss?" She asked.

"I suppose I won't let them go to waste. Thank you." Lily said as the barmaid set the drinks down. I wasn't thinking I would drink so much tonight.

Another man had approached the table. A noble of sorts who introduced himself as Felicien Achille Beauvais, a marquee. Before she could do anything the man had touched her side and spoke, "If a man can lay his hand on your skin, steel should find touching to be ten times easier." Bastard! She thought as she glared and watched as he made his way swiftly out of the tavern. A real man would not fear the scorn of a women. Although my extent of scorn is more physically painful. Sitting back down she continued to drink her ale in thought. The idiot probably doesn't have any knowledge of how to properly use a shield. Much less fight seeing as he didn't have the nerve to stand his ground. Would he have much preferred the leather armor of a ranger? Those women wear nothing but leather bras and skirts as they run around. Oh who cares! She had finished her third cup of ale when she noticed the sky had darkened into night outside. Not the type to brood, she dropped the subject out of her mind.

Lily sat for some time on her own until, yet another man approached. He looked like that man she had seen earlier in the day. Apparently his name was Vincent and was actually apart of an Assassins clan. Much like all the others, he too had left swiftly. What is with men these days? Always in a rush. Shaking her head and finishing the last bit of ale she rose from her seat and stretched up a bit. Purposely walking past the bar she said goodnight to Tom and headed upstairs for a room. She removed her armor, leaving only her undergarments on as she got into bed. Her sword and shield were nestled in a corner of the room. With the help of the ale in her system, she was able to find sleep more easily than the last few nights.

Nathan opened his eyes to the darkness that is his his room. The cinder-walled room had no window. He looked around at the inky blackness and lifted a hand out from under his blanket. With a snap of his fingers flame appeared on the wicks of his candles sitting on his desk. He folded the blankets out off of him and rolled out of the hard bed. He knew it was morning. He could never sleep past 8 am. He knuckled his back with a groan and walked over to his desk. He drew out his journal and sat down. He scribbled down a few things and nodded. The idea just might be good enough... he thought to himself.

He pushed the chair away from the desk and stood. The stone floor cold on his feet. He walked over to the rug adorning the middle of the floor. His chain mail was particularly cold. The stone barracks was known to get cold in the dead of night. He grabbed a different undershirt than the one he had worn previously, but still brown. He slipped it on and followed them with a new pair of brown pants. On his feet went a pair of socks, then his boots. He picked up his belt holding his sheath and pouch. He buckled that on as well, his chain mail followed than, then his leather armor. He slipped his knife into his boot and padded it so that it would not be uncomfortable. Lastly he pulled on his leather gloves.

A few seconds later, he found himself sitting in his chair facing his bed. A sharpening stone slid across his long sword with a soft whisk- whisk . After making sure that his blade was honed sharp, he slid it into the sheath and strapped his shield onto his back and extinguished the candles with a huff. He pulled his key out of his pouch, unlocked the door, walked out, and locked it behind him. He walked through the empty hallways of the barracks and across the almost empty courtyard. Today will be another hot one... He examined the blue sky. Great

He made his way out of the courtyard and walked along the streets of Arthine, people were just opening their stands. He found one that was open and pulled his none too heavy money bag out of his pouch. He purchased some bread, sliced ham, and cheese. He took a moment to throw it all together. He ate the sandwich hungrily as he paced through the city. It would be a couple of hours before he would have to report to the courtyard. He finished his sandwich and bought an apple.

Vincent had been awake, since around 6 A.M. Since then he had dressed and geared up, as well as eaten a breakfast downstairs. But it was time to get out of this tavern, time to do one the the objectives of his employment.
It would be a difficult assassination, just of a local politician who was leaking information about Anthony's plans. The guards were the only real problem, the target was an old man. But he was a smart old man, he had hired mercenary's. Skilled ones at that.
But Vincent had one of the target's maids unlock a window for him, the one in the target's kitchen. But that was too far away from the target, but it was Vincent's only entry point. Slipping through the window he scanned the kitchen, only the maid was there. She knew he was watching her, for she was something 'else'. He walked past her, without as much as a single silent breath.

He entered the hallway, four doors on one side. Three on the other, something didn't feel right. There were no handles on the doors, not even a gap were the door connects with the hinge.

Footstep.

A single footstep set him spinning around, to face the maid who let him in. Her head was lowered, not revealing her face. She was a cute woman, so there was no reason for her to be self conscious. She held what looked like a meat cleaver, Vincent didn't like what he thought was coming.

Slowly her head moved to the side then upwards. Revealing two dead eyes, and a face full of maggots.

F*ck.

(Done, made it sort of a cliff hanger)

The morning sun peaked in bright yellow colors through the dew spotted window of Lily's room. Yawning she stretched her arms over the covers as she rose up and out of bed. She walked towards the window and glanced outside before she suited up. There were only a few people out walking about. The merchants were almost finished preparing their stands and opening up their shops. The sky was clear with only a few scattered wispy images of clouds. She turned from the window and stretched back once more with her hands on her hips. "It's going to be a beautiful day," Lily said out loud. Walking to the corner of the room she began to dress in her armor, starting at her legs and ending by placing her sword in it sheathe by her side.

After opening the door of her room, the scent of fresh baked bread wafted into her nose. She made her way downstairs and towards the tavern counter as a barmaid approached her, "What'll it be for ya miss?"

"I'll have some water to drink, along with eggs and some of that fresh bread I smell cookin'," Lily replied with a smile on her face.

"Of course." The woman said as she walked back into the kitchen through the door behind the counter. The local drunk was at the far end of the bar, already drowning his sorrows in a large mug of ale. There weren't many patrons in the tavern at this hour. Only a few people sat at the tables eating their own breakfast orders. In only a couple minutes did the barmaid return with a plate of eggs and bread, a small side of butter, and her water. Lily took her time eating. She wouldn’t need to be in the courtyard till about noon and it was only around nine in the morning. As she ate she thought about what she do before going to the courtyard. Perhaps I should go check on Azure.

Almost an hour later, Lily had finished her breakfast. After leaving some coin at the bar she walked out of the tavern and onto the streets of Talvera. The day was a little cooler than yesterday but it was still earlier. The heat of the sun hadn’t yet shone in its full radiance. The people on the streets had multiplied from when she had looked down from the bedroom window earlier. Some of them gave her friendly smiles as they did before while she made her way back towards the castle. The guards were already at the gate. They didn’t say a word as Lily walked passed them and headed towards the stables.

As she arrived, she saw the same boy sitting in the place. This time however, he was leaned back against the barn with his mouth wide, sleeping. Lily laughed lightly as she walked passed him and into the barn. A couple paddocks down she found Azure. He noticed her approach and walked towards the gate. “Well, you look to be in fine health,” she said to him stroking his face. “I bet you’d like to get out of here huh?” Unlocking the door to his stall, she grabbed hold of his halter and pulled him into the middle of the barn. So he did brush you. After going over his appearance she attached a lead rope to him and walked him outside.

The boy seemed to jump out of his seat when he heard the clacking of the horse’s hooves as they stepped out of the barn. “I-I…” He began to stutter.

“It’s quite alright. I’m just going to take him for a walk. I’ll be back in a little bit. Thanks for taking such good care of him.” Lily told him. He nodded as he plopped back down. With Azure, she walked around the castle and stopped at a fountain before heading back. Another horse was tied there but it seemed to calm enough for her to approach. Azure dipped his head into the fountain and took a few drinks before he was finished. They went back to the stables and again Lily handed her horse back to the stable boy. Before leaving, she thanked him and tossed him a gold coin, “Keep it up.” It was about time to head to the courtyard and so she left and made her way.

It was a rather close distance to where she had been and didn’t take to long to arrive. Not many people had arrived and she supposed she have to wait a little while. Perhaps I’m a bit early.

The sound of boot hitting the stone floor outside of his bedroom woke tal as he could feel the vibrations from each step though the stone that made his wall. He had slept the entire night with his bare back to the wall. It was around eight in the morning he guessed everyone seemed to either be getting up at this time or going to bed. He stood on the stone floor and it sent a chill up his body. I was not that it was cold, though it was, he always felt the same chill each time he walked without shoes. He closed his eyes ands let the feel of the stone floor flow in him. He could feel the vibrations as someones boot hit the floor and he could see them in his mind. The man in the room to his right was just getting out of bed his feet hit the floor only a moment ago.

A guard walked past his door in full gear, but he would have been able to tell that without his special talent he could hear the man clearly. Tal opened his eyes and went to his closet. He pulled out a new pair of clothes and donned the greens and tans of a woodsmen. He buckled his sword belt on and pulled his long sword from its sheath. He again inspected the blade for nicks and dents but he had not used the blade in some time now so it was still honed to perfection as he like it. He inspected the fletching of each arrow in his quiver as well as the wooden shafts he threw two of them out one had warped and the other was starting to splinter. He took up his horn bow and restrung it again and cecked the string. 'I will be needing to make more of these before we leave. I will have to go pick up some materials.' Tal thought to himself. He put the bow down in the corner and grabbed his brown cloak off the peg on the wall. He put it on and let it fall off his shoulders so that it fit more like a cape.

Tal opened his bedroom door to find light flooding in. He chuckled to himself realising that he never lit a candle he had done everything with his as he called it 'sixth sense.' He closed the door behind him and walked out of the barraks and into the city. At this early in the morning the roar of the city was only a murmer of what it had been at noon. He made his way down the street stopping at a few booths picking up some cheese, bread, salted beef and and apple Which he ate for his breakfast. He stopped in front of a shop thats sign was a target with an arrow sticking out of the bullseye. He stepped in and the shoppkeeper looked up to him. "Tal! Its been a while, what have you quit shooting that bow wear it for decoration?" The man laughed as the clasped arms.

"You could only wish Yerin, then you could get your trophy back." Tal motioned to the bare spot on a self. The both laughed and disscused the tools of there trade. They talked and laughed for a good hour and a half while Tal sat braiding new strings next to the older man. The man had been almost a mentor when Tal first came to the city. If it wernt for this man tal would not know as much about the bow except how to shoot it. "I have some news." Tal finally interjected and Yerin stopped laughing. "I am going with the bridge company. I will be gone a long time."Tal puase in his work to look at the man.

Yerin sat a moment in silence then nodded, "That is where you belong, amoungst men that will be heros one day. Oh but you cannot leave without this." Yerin got up and hustled to the back of the store. When he reurned he held a leather case made for a horn bow. Tal was about to decline his offer and the older man stopped him "Boy wait till you see wats inside." He opened the case and pulled out a magnificent horn bow. The bow was black and not just painted it was made from a blacked tusk from what kind of beast he could only imagine. Yerin handed it to him and Tal took hold of the bow.

"This is art, deadly art." He took one of the strings that he had finished making moments ago and strung the bow. He then brought the bow up and pulled the string back without an arrow. The bow was light and it drew smoothly but he could feel the power in the tension of the string and bow. He almost gasped and slowly let the sting back into place. "I cannot accept suck a beautiful bow." Tal said holding it out for the other man to take.

"You can and you will. One last gift between old freinds before you go." He said with a smile. "Now you better be on your way it will be noon shortly."

Tal took his old bow and set it in the corner of the shop he paid the man for the strings and arrows that he had made while they talked and made his way out of the shop with his new bow on his back. "When I see you again I will repay you." Tal said and the other man only luaghed. 'Crazy man.' Tal chuckled to himself as he wove his way toward the courtyard where the meeting took place.

Nathan smiled as he thew the useless apple core away. He didn't notice where he had wandered to in the time. He looked up at the wall that stood in front of him. The wall of Talvera not far from the North Gate. He climbed a set a stairs that mounted the wall and stood gazing out. The huge plain with slightly rolling hills and the occasional bush was almost completely empty. The sky above was a nice light blue color with only one or two white wispy clouds to mar the beauty. Or maybe the completed it.. Soon he would find himself killing other men in battles, that brought a smile to his face.

He ran his left hand over the hilt of his longsword, feeling the leather that wrapped the handle. The pommel that was only a simply ball. The hand guard that barely existed. I have killed a man already he thought to himself and he let his hand drop to his side. It didn't feel as he thought it would. With one last glimpse at the sky, he turned and made his way back down the stairs. His right forearm twinged slightly as the put weight on it. He ran his hand smoothly along the broken and now scabbed skin. It wasn't bad, but it was his first wound taken in a fight. The streets were filled now. He figured it was about noon and made his way to the courtyard. People generally avoided him. Along with anybody with a sword. Nathan released a soft chuckle. It's not like I'm going to run anybody through. Not yet anyway.

He pushed his way through the crowds and wiped his face. A hot day... He stopped at a sign that depicted armor. He looked at his hands and groaned. I need gauntlets or something to protect my arms... But I really don't want to spend the money. Never the less, he walked into the dimly lit shop and looked around. Bright steel gleamed on stands. Helmets of every shape and size littered shelves, before he could look at any more, a large man stomped up to him.

"May I help you?" His voice rumbled. John threw his eye at the man. He was a couple of inches tall than Nathan, and his muscles bulged beneath his black cotton shirt. A sword was sheathed on his back, the hilt rising over his right shoulder.

Nathan appeared nonchalant about the man's size and coolly replied. "Do you by chance have a pair of leather vambraces?"

The man shook with laughter that sounded like an avalanche. " We do not supply toys like those. " He said, eying Nathan from head to toe. His eyes found Nathan's bare forearms. "How about full mail?" He asked.

Full mail! That would take all of my money if I even THINK I want to buy it! "Do you have anything else?"

"No I do not." Came the large man's reply. Nathan sighed and pulled out his money bag and forked out the price the man said. That left him with only ten copper. Great... he thought as he stripped out of his armor. He removed the leather armor and the dull mail. He placed those on the floor as the man approached with what looked like his size of the long sleeved, shining mail. John slid it on over his head. It fit perfectly. He put his armor back on and handed his old mail to the shop keeper. That was part of the cost. This had better be some D**n good chain mail. He thought as he exited the shop

He then rushed to the courtyard. I would like to be a little early. As he arrived he saw a couple of familiar faces. He nodded in acknowledgment of the knight. Lilly, was her name, then walked up to Tal where the two shook hands formally. Nathan looked around. There was already about a hundred people there with still about a half of an hour to go. This Bridge Company is quite popular.

"Ok, I'm just gonna.." Vincent stuttered out looking into the vile form in front of him, slowly taking a step back. Only to hit a wall, the 'hallway' was an extremely detailed painting. Something that even fooled him! An assassin, who has been around. The creature's arm raised, preparing to cut into him with the large cleaver. A dagger was unsheathed, swiftly it cut into the thing's side as Vincent flew by her. No blood came out, only more maggots. Turning around the silver eyed killer looked at the beast, his eyes calm and calculating. "You take the cake for the ugliest maid award, and I've seen some really ugly maids." He said his dagger in hand, the creature walked forward. Slowly it's rotting form took a step, it didn't smell though. And that was something that confused him, something this long dead should have a vile stench.

Vincent frowned, he'd have to use it. He sheathed his dagger as the dead thing walked forward, raising his right arm he closed his eyes. "This is gonna suck." He said as wind swirled around his arm, forming what looked like a drill. It was something he was taught when he was young, by those who betrayed him. Running forward he lunged, his arm outstretched as the drill collided with the thing rotten body. Gore flew every, as the body was torn apart and flung across the room. But there was blood, and the creature didn't have any. Of course, it was Vincent's. An attack that powerful could not come without a price, the chain mail and clothes were ripped from his body. Slowly gashes and deep cuts appeared, but the creature was destroyed. Right?

Vincent arm fell to his side, bleeding heavily. "Ow." Was all that left his lips, he turned his back to the destroyed body of his contact. Walking towards the window he reached for it, but it was too late. The hand hovered in the air, the cleaver still in place. A wire no fully visible as Vincent's blood moved down its course from the ceiling.. It was a puppet. The cleaver came down into Vincent's back, cutting deep and swiftly. "Raah!" He yelled stumbling forward and out the window.

(Acceptable?)

His black cape fluttered in the wind, the red lining on the inside seemingly glowing when the sunlight fell upon it. The wind blew strongly from his right, threatening to take his expensive black hat with it. Fortunately, there was a chin strap that held it securely to his person.

He observed from atop the building the courtyard. There seemed to be quite a number of people there, indeed. He looked out for the others he had met and seen, such as the lady knight and Felicien. He managed to locate the beautiful young lady - largely due to her dress style - and smiled to himself. He did not take the time to look for Felicien; they seemed to be gathering for a purpose here, and he had his own. In all likelihood, they were one and the same.

Juan rose to his full height, standing in clear view in the sun. Many directed their gazes at him, and he heard a gasp of awe or some sort of amazement go through the crowd. Whether it was positive or not, he did not know, but he was not in the least bothered. He enjoyed the attention, though he did not seek it.

Without a word, Juan made his way to the edge of the building. He stepped off of it, one leg stretched a little further out than the other. He landed on the wooden railings of a balcony, springing off of it thereafter and landing on the ground.

The Andalusian man bowed deeply and rose with a smile. Now, he awaited someone - preferably of relatively high rank, so that he could announce his presence as his nation's representative - to address him so that he could make known his presence officially.

A window shattering broke the silence as a man in black, wounded and bleeding fell from it. Landing on a sun roof type of thing the man rolled off, before falling onto the ground. Slowly the man pushed himself, obviously in pain as he grunted with the easy task. Slowly but surely he stood up to his feet, not to his full height though. One arm covered in gashes, as though he had stuck it into a lion's mouth and then swiftly pulled it out a fraction of a second to late. His back bleeding heavily, blood dripping down it to pool under him. "Am I to late for the bridge company?" He asked a smile on his face, before he fell backwards. Unconscious.


"Such a weak and pathetic fool you are Vincent." A voice said above him, slowly he opened his eyes. To see his old teacher, Guna. "Sorry, I fell asleep after training." The young Vincent apologized, sitting up and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. They were in a dark forest, something that most children wouldn't go near. "Well then, its two thousand more dagger thrusts." The old man said, he had white hair. As many old people do, but he had the same silver eyes which Vincent sported.


The old man smiled and laughed, patting the young boy on the back. A almost fatherly gesture, something Vincent and grown to love about the old man. "Guna, when will I get my first mission?" The young boy asked, impatient and full of energy as he always was.
"In two years time, you will kill your first mark." Guna replied looking at the boy with solemn eyes. "But is that what you truly want Vincent?" He asked, as they started for home. "Yes, its what I have been trained for my whole life to do." He said smiling as a twirled a small dagger in his hand, throwing it forward it hit the cabin they slept in. Opening the door, adding to the already many deep cuts into the word work.

(:3)

Nathan looked up at a peculiar man that he saw at the bar jump from the roof of a building, onto a rail, then the ground. He shook his head with a laugh and turned his attention to the door where the king would appear. He jumped slightly as a CRASH! sounded. A man in black blasted through a window and landed in the courtyard. He was all cuts and black. He said something that nathan couldn't hear and dropped. Strange... Nathan thought.

He turned his attention to the Man that stepped through a door leading into the huge courtyard. Anthony Tar'von, as he and everyone else knew. The King of Talvera. He was dressed in a red coat with gold embroidery that parted at his waist, opened up, and extened to his knees where his fine leather boots sat. Tucked into those boots were a pair of Fine, loose pants. A gold crown was nestled on his head. A long sword sat on his left hip. The gem encrusted hilt sticking out from under his coat.

King Tar'von's eyes widened at the sight of how many volunteers there truly were. Nathan looked around as well. There were easily over five hundred men. Ahem... Anthony said, clearing his throat. "As you know, The Elites have taken the Erinon Bridge," He said, seemingly looking at every man and woman's eyes, " You have all volunteered to wrest said bridge from their hands. If you are in need of weapons, report to the armory," Nathan rested his left hand on the hilt of the sword. "Bridge Company will be gathered outside of the North Gate in exactly two hours, where you will be assorted and command will be given. May luck be with you and serve Talvera proud. Also, if you wish to ask me any questions, I will be in the armory." And with that, he walked to his right, Nathan's left, and made his way to the large, stone building that sat next to the barracks that was the armory. Nathan wiped his head with a gloved head and his glove was considerably darker. The courtyard was packed, and it was stifling. He pushed his way through the people milling everywhere, whether to the armory or to anywhere else.

Nathan broke out of the crowd and made his way to his room. When inside, he pulled two items out of a drawer, his small sharpening stone and a rag that he would use to wipe blood from his blade. Both he put into his already bulging pouch. He reached underneath his bed and pulled out a large sack with two straps for his shoulders. He threw his stone, and a few other items in it. In it already was a simply small tent for traveling that when folded up was only the size of a loaf of bread, about five undershirts and a few pairs of socks. He also rolled up his small pillow and two blankets and threw those in. He pulled the drawstrings and tied them, sealing the bag. He flattened it out some and stored it underneath his shield on his back. Looking at him, you could barely tell it was there.

He rushed out of his room and closed the door, locking it behind him. He made his way into the courtyard, where a few people were hefting weapons that he bet the hardly knew how to use. He laughed and decided to show them how to use a sword. He pulled out his long sword and held it in both hands. A few people looked at him with startled faces, as though they thought he would kill them. I do need some practice. He thought as he rested in the most simple form. He slid from one form to another with liquid grace. He pulled into another form with more speed. With each attack, he picked up his speed. Liquid grace turned to fluid death. Lunge, slash, arch, jab, and hack. All with speed and grace. His sword cut through the air like a whirlwind. He pulled out of a lunge and in one motion slid the sword back into the sheath. By that time, more than a few people were watching. He wiped the sweat from his neck and breathed deeply. At least I still have it. he thought.

He weaved through the courtyard and emerged in a street that lead directly to the North Gate. He laughed at the sight of a couple hundred soldiers making their way to the spot where they would be gathered. Most of B- Company will be made up of soldiers and guards. He laughed inwardly again and allowed himself to be carried with the crowd to the North Gate.

As she waited, Lily watched the crowd gather in strength the closer it got to noon. She had noticed a few familiar faces from the night before. The red haired man name Tal was standing in the crowd as well was Nathan. She thought about approaching them when she noticed that the other man who had exhanged glances with her the other night, but had not introduced himself, appeared with a acrobatic performance. Smiling at his display, she clapped and said, "Good show!" Not knowing whether or not he would hear over the rather large group of people. Soon after the foreign man's entrance, another draped in black clothing seem to come crashing down from a window. He appearred unconscience and Lily hoped someone would see to his health.

Before she could direct her attention anywhere else, the king had made himself known. He gave his orders and that was that. Lily had no need for additional armor or weapons so left to get Azure at the stables. She gave the stable boy another coin and began to sadle the horse. After he was set to ride, she pulled out a chain mail wrap from one of his sacks and attached it to her armor. Not as effective against piercing damage, but it'll do. After it was secured, she placed one of her feet in the stirrup and got onto the horse, making her way towards the northern gate.

Nathan grimaced when he knew that General Keyen was going to make him walk. Him a Blade Master. The General was arranging the men in this order. First, He placed the Spear men in front, about two hundred of them. Second, he placed the footmen, about two hundred and fifty of those. Next, he placed the archers, two hundred and fifty of them. Next he placed the knights, all one hundred and fifty of them, all riding horses. Nathan was put in the front row of the footmen. As was Felicien, Juan, and Vincent. He laughed as the General tried to move them all into position. The simple merchants and farmers looked baffled. Nathan moved to his assigned spot and, eventually, all was settled. A Large flag rose in the front ranks and waved side to side three times, ordering the soldiers to march.

The march went smoothly, if not hot. All of the moving and the sun and lastly everybody so close, it turned into one hot, tiring day. They marched in fives, the column stretching back. They finally stopped for the night as the sun was sitting snugly on the horizon. The army had eaten their food walking from their packs. (Nathan grimaced when he realized he had none and had to borrow.) They rested down for the night. Tents went up and cook fires blazed.

The next day was slightly cooler and the sun was hidden behind dark clouds that Nathan knew would bring rain. But Bridge Company marched on ahead. At about three pm, when the sun was starting it's ever so slow decent, the white flag waved the Company to stop. Nathan looked around at the trees on either side of the road, right hand on the hilt of his sword. The flag waved once to the right Get ready... Nathan drew his sword fluidly and held it barred in front of him, as did the rest of the footmen, the spear men hefted spears and the archers prepared arrows. The knights drew swords as well. Nathan looked around once more. I don't see... His thought was interrupted by a loud horn. With yells, men poured out of the trees left and right.

"Ambush! Ambush!" it sounded among the footmen, Felicien could not do much as the men remained in position, foot soldiers making a wall of shields and only the cavalry moved out. Archer's rained down their arrows on their attackers and many men fell, but they had been too late to get a clear aim of the larger part of the opponent, who had used the element of surprise to close in fast. The main attack was on the foot soldiers, some opponents carried curved swords and some flails, allowing them to hit behind the shields. Those with lances and pole arms engaged Anthony's cavalry, which was raising hell in the opponent's infantry sections.

These were trained soldiers, no brigand would ambush an army of course, but their organisation was professional, having lost little men to arrows by appearing this close and swiftly bringing down the outer walls of shields. When there was an opening, few men moved into Anthony's ranks. Felicien speeded out, he did not intend taking chances to become a victim of chaos. He quickly looked around, thrusted a man with a curved sword in the throat so he could not finish killing a foot soldier. This drew minor attention to Felicien however and another man went for him. However, this man had obviously no experience fighting fencers and Felicien's sideward stance left him powerless to attack as Felicien, with the range provided from the basic stance was free to attack. He made a few quick movements and his opponent blocked a strike.

"Perfect." Felicien smiled, as his blade retreated to follow it up with a quick stabbing attack. The man had been too focused on blocking a single attack, not anticipating a second. No, these men had much to learn, then again, nobody in this land probably even practiced the discipline of the rapier.

Now, allies had emerged from their positions. Blade masters mainly, few foot soldiers, but most of them were busy protecting the archers. Felicien hoped to see Don Eduardo, who's identity Felicien now believed to be revealed. His entrance had been spectacular, but where was he now?

More men attacked Felicien, but now he had gotten the back up from other allies the fight remained in their advantage. They outnumbered their ambushers and now that their wall-breakers were useless, they had to defend their selves from Anthony's army. The tie had turned and Felicien looked at the battlefield, but was interrupted by an attacker, whose slash Felicien barely managed to block. He then moved back, into his stance and saw it was a blade master, armed with a long sword, grinning from cheek to cheek and already dashing forwards to launch other attack. Felicien blocked while being forced further backwards, the attacks followed each other up rapidly and Felicien did not get the chance to parry and strike. Regardless, due his stance the blade master could not get Felicien in his sword's range, so the marquees was safe, for now.

Drizzle, the dark clouds had started rain. Though the water was limited, it was enough for Felicien to turn the tie of the duel quickly. He froze a single drop and as it fell on the blade master’s shoulder, weakening his attack. Felicien used the decrease of speed in the strike to parry and thrust. Unfortunately for Felicien however, he had hit an armoured body part and the blade master remained unscarred. But it did allow Felicien to take over the offensive role. He advanced and struck quickly, but his opponent mimicked the fencer's previous stance and although a bit clumsy during the first minute, receiving a scratch or two, he mastered it surprisingly fast.

The duel continued for a few minutes and the drizzle had turned into a heavier rain. Felicien used this to his advantage and cooled all water on his foe's body quickly. The man stiffened and Felicien thrusted his blade in the man's chest. Not a disabling injury for him, or at least that is what he thought. Felicien froze the already cool water as it reached into his foe's body, freezing parts of his bloodstream the man dropped down in a matter of seconds. As Felicien removed the water from his own armour and forced it in a more compact form at another opponent, killing the soldier with a medium-sized icicle piercing deep into his back, Felicien wondered how the battle was going in it's whole.

"Ambush! Ambush!"

Juan looked left and right. He was sitting on his horse, which he had gone to retrieve earlier before joining the formation. He did not see Felicien, the beautiful lady or any of the other peope he had seen in the bar, for that matter. War was no laughing matter, and of course, no joke.

He smiled anyway. He had not had a fight on this scale in quite a while, and the adrenaline was surging through him. He felt his body tingle when the cavalrymen went out to attack. He followed on his horse, quickly drawing the Damascus steel blade with his left hand. Deftly, he turned it around so that he was holding it right side up, instead of holding it the way one would hold an icepick.

Riding forward in a wedge, they punched through an enemy infantry group, using the momentum to their advantage. They quite literally cut it apart and kept going, circling around to hit another group from the side, throwing their formations into chaos. They then circled back to mop up the first group that they had cut through. It was going quite smoothly, but they decided to pull out before they bit off more than they could chew. Surprise had been on the enemy's side, but quick reaction turned it the other way around. They ended their blitz before they got bogged down fighting individual enemy soldiers; this was the way cavalry was meant to be used.

They turned back to rejoin the main formation. Many of the opponents were armoured it would be difficult to fight using his rapier. Many enemy blade masters were present and already fighting. He dismounted his horse quickly and slapped its rear, sending it running off elsewhere. He would not need it for a while.

Hurrying to the assistance of another, the caped man brought the sabre over his head and brought it down forcefully. It chopped through the armour plate with ease, resulting in a thudding sound that reminded him of slaughterhouses. Shaking off the sickening thought, he pulled the blade out of the screaming victim's back and carried on.

"Rrragh!" roared a lunging swordsman, bringing his humongous claymore downwards for a diagonal strike. Juan narrowly avoided the weapon. It almost cut into his cape as it landed in the soil, throwing up water and mud. The Andalusian took a step back, watching his opponent take another wild swing. He was just out of range; the other man had taken care not to expose his back for too long. The swordsman was not wasting any energy. He used the momentum of this second swing to prepare for a third.

Juan pulled his cape up with his right hand, thereby concealing the exact position of the sabre. The claymore came his way. He stepped forward, releasing his cape as he parried the blow with the sabre in his left hand. The inertia kept the cape moving towards his left, concealing Juan again.

The taller man was enraged as he held onto his weapon, which had been struck aside. How could a relatively tiny opponent such as this one not even take a scratch from his attacks?

The cape had served its purpose, concealing his intentions and his next move. Without wasting any time, Juan moved in quickly. The cape fell away as he sped into his opponent, revealing the sabre - now in his right hand - heading straight for him. The weapon smashed into the side of his body below the ribs, cutting into the armour and slicing cleanly through, stopping short of the chain mail. The Andalusian stepped behind his opponent quickly and swung again. It hit the same region, this time punching through the chain mail underneath it and into his body. Juan pulled the blade out and stepped away when his opponent fell, bleeding to death.

There were many more, and he was sure that there would be more like him, well-armoured, tall and strong. He would have to put deception and his agility to full use.

The tension she felt in Azure as they stopped was enough for Lily to realize something was amiss. Sure enough a loud, "Ambush! Ambush!" resounded through the army and every person readied themselves for a fight. She looked around her to the other knights and nodded in acknowledgment. They knew what they needed to do; break the line formations in the front and rear. If the archers are vulnerable, kill them. Splitting into three groups, they moved on towards the enemy as they came. Her brigade charged the front soldiers. Azure as well as the other knights' horses thundered as they rode, and the faces of the enemy front line held a fearful resolve.

The crash of steel against steel could be heard throughout the area as Lily's group had made their way into the front line of soldiers. They rode through them slashing their swords to the left and right of the horses as men tried to escape the stampede. Separating the larger group of men they continued the charge only to see not far from them were more men, with pole arms. Stopping Azure rather forcefully, made him rear back as she lost her grip of him and fell off. Many of the other knights either fell from their horses as well, or were caught in the pole arms and flung forward into the group of waiting soldiers. Getting to her feet as fast as she could, she slapped the back of Azure's rear with the side of her sword and grouped up with the remaining knights. They were now caught in the heart of the enemy soldier ranks.

There were fifty knights but they had lost a good ten from the pole arms. Standing with their backs together, they attempted to hold their ground as the enemy rushed them from both sides. Lily met the charge of the men in front of her with full anticipation. The first of them she encountered was recklessly holding his sword high, and when they came together she blocked the downward swing of his sword with her shield, stabbing her own into his torso. Using his momentum she lifted his body with both shield and sword and tossed his body back behind her, readying herself for the next attack.

Two men approached her this time, one from the left and one from the right.They closed in from diagonal routes. Swinging in sync, one of them aimed at her head while the other farther down towards her torso. Lily pushed hard into the man swinging at her face while blocking with her shield and moved out of reach of the other attack. The man on the left had fallen giving her enough advantage to address the man to the right. As she faced him he swung sideways, just catching the edge of her chain mail. She scowled at him moving forward. Using her shield, she hit the man in the face and quickly plunged her sword in his chest. Suddenly as she began to turn towards the other man, she was knocked to the ground.

Luckily because of the angle in which she fell, she landed on her back in time to see the man stabbing his sword down at her. In one quick motion she rolled to her right, rose up to one knee, and slashed at the legs of her attacker. He fell fast screaming in pain. The knights along side her were also holding their ground and had only lost a couple more men. A couple too many in her opinion. The soldiers were becoming more scarce in the area.

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