by Formendacil » Sat Jun 05, 2004 10:58 am
Grid: G-2
Location: The North Gate of Leidenheim
Several red-and-blue Crusader soldiers stood about the city gates, questioning and occasionally seraching everyone before allowing them to leave the city. A knight on horseback oversaw their operations.
The Old Man leading, the three companions made their way to join the queue. It was a couple of hours before they had made their way up to the front of the line.
"Names?" asked a soldier, holding parchment and inked quill.
"Magarus, Aethelred Dractor, and Elwen dan Raleigh," said the Old Man.
"Please wait a second," said the soldier. While he went to confer with the knight, the other soldiers tightened their ranks about the gates.
"I don't like this," muttered Sir Dractor, as the knight roe up.
"I understand that one of you is Elwen dan Raleigh?" he said.
"Would she please come with me. I am ordered to bring her to Castle Leiden to be submitted to questioning.
"What for?" asked Elwen sharply.
"I don't know," replied the knight. "I merely know that the governor has issued warrants for your arrest. Now, if you'll come with me-"
"I don't think so," said Sir Dractor, stepping in between Elwen and the knight. "She's not going anywhere until we know why." The Crusader looked up at the imposing figure of Sir Dractor. Behind him, his soldiers slowly began to increase in number, as other detachments came out of their hiding places in the alleys and bordering buildings.
"Be careful, knight," said the Crusader, "lest you find yourself up against a full two hundred men."
"You be careful, knight," replied Sir Dractor coldly, "lest your two hundred men find themselves up against me." The Crusader blanched fearfully, and took a step back. Sir Dractor siezed the opportunity, and smashed him to the cobblestones with his shield. He drew his broadsword, and charged at the Crusaders.
Behind him, Elwen had drawn her blade, and the Old Man, very regretfully, started to follow them through the soldiers, although making no effort to fend them off himself.
Fortunately for the Crusaders, Sir Dractor had no intention of killing them, simply of fighting a path out of the city. They must have noticed, because the Crusaders positioned outside of the city closed and barred the gates from the other side.
Soon, Sir Dractor had cut his way to the gates, Elwen and the Old Man behind him, but they were now trapped against them, the Crusaders regrouped and surrounding them.
"Stand back," said the Old Man, and as he raised his staff, a mighty force shot from it, and blew open the gates, knocking them off their hinges, and onto the ground. The Crusaders outside of the city were also blown several feet away.
Not stopping to wonder, Sir Dractor took the lead, pushing Elwen and the now-wheazing Old Man before him, as they made their escape to the countryside.