Classic Castle Roleplay: October 2005

[Maedhros]

Grid: K-13
Location: Village of Sishara

Cecilya and Ignazio sat in the Great Hall of the manse and quietly looked at the burning fireplace. It wasn´t exactly a "great" hall but it was the finest room in the manse. It had been surprisingly easy to get the servants and villagers to serve their new masters and Cecilya was perfectly content. Ignazio however seemed not to be. Finally Cecilya broke the silence:

"Why did you follow me?"

Ignazio looked up and met her gaze. He stayed silent and Cecilya continued:

"I mean, why didn´t you follow Mircea on his 'holy crusade'? You always admired him, didn´t you?"

Ignazio nodded slowly. His expression was sad.

"I did... and still do..."

Cecilya giggled her usual cold and hollow laughter.

"You need some fresh blood, my dear."

But then Ignazio stood up and met her gaze with cold and hard eyes.

"I have had enough of all this vile slughter and blood and death!"

Cecilya just laughed. Her terrible laughter would have frightened Ignazio to catatonia if he hadn´t been jaded by his new condition. He kept her gaze.

"How can you? What happened to you? What happened to the kind and protective mother?"

She stopped laughing and what remained was worse. She smiled her worst smile. Even Ignazio had to back off and lower his eyes. She chuckled slightly.

"The kind and protective mother was weak, Ignazio."

Ignazio shrugged. "No, Cecilya. She knew about things as conscience and compassion. She was one of the strongest persons I´ve ever met."

Cecilya shrugged her shoulders. "It doesn´t matter, does it? She died anyway."

Ignazio sighed deeply and sat down again. "True..."

Cecilya giggled coldly again.

"But you didn´t answer me, why did you come with me, my dear?"

"I thought you had already figured that out", he muttered.

She laughed wickedly.

"Of course I have, my dear. I just want to hear you say it."

"To torment me more?"

She just offered him one of her worst smiles.

"I love you, Cecilya", he whispered.

She stood up and walked up to him. Her face suddenly changed into an expression that could almost be called compassion.

"Why don´t you give in to it, my dear? Why do you resist the Beast?" Her voice was soft and kind.

He shrugged. "That´s something I can not do."

Cecilya bent forward and kissed his cheek with her cold lips. "We are damned my love, better to revel in it than to dream of our lost humanity." She whispered softly.

He sighed deeply. "That´s the easy way, Cecilya."

"And the true way, my dear." Then ske kissed his forehead and turned.

"The Beast she calls", she said in an alluring voice and left the room. Ignazio buried his head in his hands.

[Formendacil]

Grid: B-18
Location: Shindar Fortress

"It can work," said Mask. "None of the enemy knows the countryside, not even Po Lee. It would be possible to attack them at night, and give them some losses, without too much damage to our own men."

"Then do it," said the Daimyo. "Let us not wait until they are on our doorstep before doing something about them."

Elbadar, his thirty loyal Dragon Masters, Mask, and nearly one hundred samurai departed from Shinday fortress soon after dusk. Mask leading the way, they made their way down into the forested valley where Del Grakken's men and the Fright Knights were encamped.

Halfway there, Elbadar ordered a halt. Ahead they could see the light a large bonfire. It appeared that the enemy was holding some sort of a meeting.

"Mask, myself, and two others he selects are to go ahead and take a peak at things. I want to know what Del Grakken is doing."

Mask selected two of the samurai, and the four of them made their way stealthily to the edge of the clearing where Del Grakken's forces had camped. At the centre was a large bonfire, around which the Dragon Masters and some of the Fright Knights had gathered. Del Grakken was addressing the crowd. Mask gestured at them to be quiet, so that they could here.

"Soldiers!" Del Grakken cried, "tomorrow begins a new day! A day of change, and the end of a hated era! Tomorrow we take Shindar Fortress, killing all in it, including the hated Marshal Elbadar! Enough of our ties with the goody-goody Classics, and enough of this moral megabloks! We shall be free-ranging Dragon Masters again! We fear nothing!"

The Dragon Masters gave loud cheers, and Elbadar felt his blood boiling.

"Tomorrow we return to the ways of our fathers! The ways that we lived in in Dragonar! The ways that we lived in with the Sorceror-king! The way you shall live under my rule! We shall be true men, feared by our enemies, showing no mercy! Off with these chains of Classic morals! Tomorrow shall be a glorious new beginning, and a bloody end to an old regime! Tomorrow shall begin the rise of a new nation, a new power!"

As the Dragon Masters cheered, Mask turned to Elbadar.

"Is he serious? A new nation?" Elbadar shook his head.

"I have no idea. Technically, we were an independent force in Dametreos, owing no fealty to any of its nations, since we served the Sorceror-king. But to speak of becoming a power? It seems crazy..."

"What is that he's waving around?" asked Mask, referring to the sword in Del Grakken's hand, wreathed in green flame that glowed clearly in the dark.

"That was the Sorceror-king's sword," said Elbadar coldly. "How he got it, I do not know. I can assure you that he wasn't given it."

"Elbadar-san," said one of the samurai, "have you noticed that these Dragon Masters do not bear the same arms as your own men?"

Elbadar squinted at shields. In the darkness, he had though the emblems to be the same as his own: a black dragon on a yellow field, the emblem of the Sorceror-king's Dragon Masters. In the firelight, it was hard to tell at first, but after a few moments, Elbadar realised that they were not black dragons on the shields anymore, but green dragons.

Green dragons! Elbadar's mind flashed back to the BloodVaine War. Green had been the colour of the dragons born by BloodVaine's Dragon Masters, the Dragon Masters of General Del Grakken! The loyalist Dragon Masters had born blue dragons.

So Oris Del Grakken was planning to resurrect his family's fortunes? Maybe he was serious about becoming a power...

"Let's get back to the men and plan our attack," said Elbadar. "I've seen enough."

[TheOrk]

A-12 Mist Isle

Norbrik blinked for a moment. Pillage? Perhaps the second best thing in Norbrik’s life besides hunting sea serpents. “I’d thought you’d never ask!” He laughed.

Thedrikforge smiled “aye, it has been awhile since our axes have found nice soft ABS and and bowls full with plump skraeling meat.”

Norbrik nodded, his mouth watering at the prospect. “Speaking of skraelings, what are we going to do with that little black bird?”

Thedrikforge glanced in the direction of Girard. “That one? Whatever happens, if he doesn’t get off the isle somehow, he won’t cause trouble.”

The two walked over to Thedrikforge’s “desk” as Girard called it. It was just an overturned barrel with some parchment held in place ontop with a rock. Amongst the parchment was the map the Black Falcon scribbled for them. The men in charge of navagation had been staring at it all morning, when the rumors, of pillaging became true.

“According to the skraeling, his homeland in the northern region, has great wealth. The realm below its almost as great… The closest lands, home to men “who ride winged serpents”(Norbrik took a great interest to that) inhabbit the region not far away. And all the land below that is too hot for our liking.” Finished Thedrikforge, placing the rock back over the parchment.

“Aye.” Replied Norbrik. Right now, he was going to find out everything he could about the sea serpents inhabbiting this Dametreos…

[jamitjames]

"What are we waiting for?" Barbod said, "Lets head out!""Go do what you want, but i thoght you were like your dad. Din't he teach you when to fight and when to run?" she asked him.

"Bulls don't run...

G-7

Jainess woke with a start. She groned, like she had done every morning for the last year. After her fall out with Barbod she left all hope of a Bull kingdom that she had remembered when she was only a kid.

Now, at the age of 23, she lived alone. Hunting animals and gaining much skill. But going to sleep every night with leaves for a pillow was not the funnest thing. Nor did it improve her looks, not that she minded. Her hair was covered in dirt.

"Maybe it's time for a bath..." and with that Jainess set off for the inn were she had met Barbod last year.

[TheOrk]

L-12 Castle Dracul Area

Valric pondered over Mircea’s last words. Make him a strigoi? He’d sooner fall upon his own sword, a quick glance told him it was where he last left it. His wound still hurt greatly, he was no stranger to sleep. He collasped like a log a moment later, night was still thick outside and he wanted every second in that soft warm bed he could get.

If the strigoi came at them now, they’d get more then they bargained for. Grabbing his sword and bringing it closer, he wondered if it worked as well on vampiric creatures as it did on those other…demons…

He awoke abruptivily the next morning, it was very sunny, too sunny for that dreary land. He was amazed to find himself in a fair green forest. It was as silent as the Batlands though. Valric would never admit it, even with generous help from the bottle, that he was glad to see flowers again.
Not wondering in the slightest why was there he began walking around, his sword held close. He thought he caught a glimpse of a minifig among the trees, but he guessed he was mistaken. Valric proceeded down a pathway, he felt it nessecary to get out of there. He didn’t know why, but he didn’t feel welcome.

Then the mist shrouded minifig stepped onto the path. “Hello there.” Nodded Valric, absorbed in his own thoughts.

He wanted to walk by and let the traveler be, but he blocked off the path. “Is there a problem sir?” Muttered Valric, wary of footpads.

Then the classic knight stepped out of the mist, into clear view. That black, yellow and green armour seemed strangely familiar. “Ah, a fellow Legolander!” Laughed Valric, still no reply.

“AERO!”

Valric gasped as a blast of air struck his chest, he went flying back and landed against a stunted tree trunk. He spat out blood and stumbled to his feet. Then the Chevron knight was on him.

“Weigraf!?” Gasped Valric.

“You failed me. You broke your promise!” Came a voice from the hauntingly silent trees.

“Weigraf, what in the Wooden Duc-“ Another blast sent Valric flat on his back. An unearthly strong hand closed around his throat.

“Heheh…A fine job Weigraf, I see you still have your uses, even if you are obsolete.” Chuckled Pythos as he walked closer.

Valric met his hateful gaze with one of equal malice, “yes, you will make a great replacement.”

“Noooooooo!!!!!!!!!” Shouted Valric.

He awoke to find himself in his bed back at that nameless inn, in that nameless village. He was drenched in sweat, muttered something colourful under his breath, he started to wake up.

Rodney threw the door open “What was that scream!?” He asked.

Valric shrugged, “nightmare I guess…”

“You, nightmares?” Rodney laughed and turned away.
Grunting, Valric strapped his armour on, the sun was up.

[TheOrk]

L-5 The Taurus Stronghold

Kale paced back and forth as a scout read the report on the Jewel Reef battle. “We should have sent a force.” Growled kale. The scout fidgeted uneasily.

King Barbod nodded, “yes, bloody Ikrosians! By the time I get a group of soldiers together, this scout here comes and says it’s all over!” Barbod slammed his fist on the table. “A Bull’s always charging. This time the enemy dropped dead before we finished the charge, that’s all.”

Dordrot and another captian nodded in agreement. Once the news of the Jewel Reef Incident had been cleared up and the after effects talked over, the scout, Dordrot and the other captian shuffled out of the room. Kale stayed behind.
“Problem?” Grunted Barbod.

“Yeah, I suppose so.” Grunted Kale in reply “life around here was a lot duller then I remember.”

Barbod nodded “aye, I have only just sorted out most of the legal documents and other brix and blox like that. I had forgotten this sort of tyco when I was on the road. But still I have my kingdom back.”

Kale gazed out the window into distant lands. “Sire, do you have any tasks that need someone abroad? I have done little but lounge about since I arrived here”

Barbod stood up “Aye you have a point there.” He picked up a rolled parchment with his seal on. He tossed it to Kale. “I need that delivered to the Bloody Falcon’s Capital.”

Kale smiled “Consider it done.” He walked out the door, at last an adventure!”

[Robin Hood]

"Well, my friend. I haven´t heard of that before but I think we´ll need all luck we can get."

Aiden chuckled. "Let´s eat rice then."

Grid: B-15
Location: Nobumura Village

After a meal and a farewell from Toratsugu the three left the village. They went out the west gate and headed toward the hills. They walked most of day, resting only twice for a meal. Through it little was said. Kae-Os occasionally asked Shika about various things in the ninjarin culture and land. Aiden usually stayed a little ahead, possibly searching for anything that might help them in their quest. Either that, or he was searching for the right, witty thing to say to Shika.

Around four in the afternoon, the companions now in the hills proper, the plains stretching out below, Kae-Os stopped and stared into nothing.

Shika looked at the elf curiously. "Is there something wrong with him?" she asked Aiden.

"No." responded Aiden, perhaps a bit smugly. "He's just sensing the shifter."

Shika lifted an eyebrow but said nothing. After a moment Kae-Os joined them. "He's here. I can sense him."

"Any idea how far away?" questioned Aiden.

"Not really. If I had to guess, I would say that he is somewhere in the centre of those hills, right where the Daimyo’s place it. I think."

"Shika, how far away is the Daimyo?" asked Aiden.

"About two days journey. It's actually not that far, but these hills lengthen the journey considerably. Kash-Lid the most isolated of all the Daimyos. That’s probably one of the reasons the assassin went there."

"Crud." muttered Aiden to himself, looking up at the hills. "Well, we'd better get going. There's still plenty of daylight left."

[jamitjames]

G-7

Jainess reached the bar/inn at noon. "Wow, things have not changed here." she muttered as she walked up the road that she had stood on and shoot Balck Falcons dead less then a year ago.

When she walked into the building people starred at her. She did not have to wounder why. Her dragon helm, her dirty hair that stuck out of it, and most of all, the fire that was in her eyes.

"One room" Jainess grunted to the bar owner. "And I assume that you'll be wanting a bath with that, mam?" replyed the owner in a mocking voice. "Name the price" snareled Jainess.

After the owner named his price, Jainess threw down the money then stalked up to her waiting room and bath.

[Formendacil]

Grid: J-10
Location: Leaving Orion

"Sorry, boys," came the voice of the Novice-Master. Captain-Colonel E'terriole stood in the doorway. "I see that Cadet Vitore has beat me to announcing our departure tomorrow, but I see that I still need to inform you that all leave is cancelled. You'll be spending the night in barracks, I'm afraid. Get some sleep."

"Bummer," said Arthur to Jayko, as E'terriole departed down the hall to the next dorm.

"Cadet-Lieutenants!" came the voice of Novice-Master E'terriole from the head of the courtyard. "Line up your troops, and prepare to march! On my command- 1st Company!"

Jayko, Arthur, and all the Cadets who had been promoted to officer training were Cadet-Lieutenants, charged with the command of a company of forty Cadets. Each had two Cadet-Sergeants as their aides.

"Cadet-Sergeant Del Albadan," Jayko ordered his aide, from his place at the head of 4th Company, "order the men to the ready position. On Captain-Colonel E'terriole's orders, give the command to march."

Over at the command of 2nd Company, Arthur gave a wave as his men moved out. 3rd Company soon followed, then E'terriole gave the order for 4th. Jayko spurred his charger, and Cadet-Sergeant Del Albadan gave the orders, and 4th Company began marching out of the courtyard. 5th Company soon followed.

Then they were out of the Yellow Castle, and into the streets of Orion. Jayko had never felt prouder than he did now, at the command of a company of soon-to-be Cavaliers, a rank he had earned with his own sweat and labour.

Once they left the city, E'terriole signalled the Cadet-Lieutenants to join him at the head of the column.

"The Sergeants can handle matters for now," he said. "You will rejoin your companies when I give the order. In the meanwhile, I want to go over plans."

Arthur glanced at Jayko. Did they feel important now. Almost grown-up.

[Maedhros]

Grid: B-15
Location: Nobumura Village

Vidkjal was awakened by a gentle touch of Masaryu.

"Good morning, Vidkjal-dono."

Vidkjal blinked. "Er, well. Good morning."

"Today you will walk."

Vidkjal smiled. At last, he had been bored to death by just lying in that tyco bed.
Masaryu grabbed his hand and pulled it. Vidkjal just followed the flow of the move and suddenly he stood up. All his drowsiness was gone. He smiled broadly and then erupted into a deep laughter. He embraced Masaryu and nearly chrushed him and then he ran out of the house.

His laughter was heard throughout the village and everyone looked up at him.

"I´m alive!" He shouted. "I´m alive, my fellow Einhärjar and shinobi!"

A few of his viking companions were in the village and walked up to him. They looked skeptical. One of them, Björn spoke:

"It´s good to see you again, Frändebane. But your words worry me. Have you forgotten about Asgeirr, about your vows, about your commitment to Valhall?"

Vidkjal sighed deeply. "It seems... that I have changed my view..."

Björn and the other three Einhärjar frowned. "Your view? Then it´d been better if you had died, as we first thought."

Vidkjal met Björn´s gaze with his piercing grey eyes. "Maybe your old jarl died there, Björn."

"If that´s the case, the traitor that the skraeling changed is no longer fit to lead us."

But Vidkjal didn´t lower his gaze. Instead it was Björn who had to back down at last. The other three Einhärjar glanced around nervously.

"Would you challenge the traitor to holmgång then, Björn?"

Björn nodded. There was no way he could back down, even though he knew that he would be no match for Vidkjal. But he only sought death anyway. Life had been nothing but torment the last four years after he had burned down his village.

Vidkjal shrugged. "But the traitor doesn´t accept the challenge, Björn", he said. "So, you have all rights in the world to go to my men and ask them if they want you as their leader. Now begone from my sight."

Then he turned and went back into Masaryu´s house. The three Einhärjar glanced at Björn who furiously clutched his fists. He knows that I can´t. The men wouldn´t accept me as long as Vidkjal is still alive. Why did that coward back down from my challenge? He is dishonoured, but, aren´t we all?

---------

The same morning Toratsugu had got up early. he always began the day by walking down to the sea and take a bath in the cold water. Then he went back to the house. But before he went in to eat his breakfast he had the habit of always run up a post that stood beside his house. When people asked him why he told them that it was to see if he was still fit to lead the Kukishinden School. But today wasn´t a usual day.

He inhaled deeply through his nose and then began to run. The post came closer and then he was on his way up. The speed of his fast and small steps let him fool gravity for a few moments and he closed in to the top. He was nearly there.

Then a voice called to him from the ground: "Still fit to lead the School I see, Sensei."

Toratsugu lost his concentration and glanced down. At the same moment he fell and hit the ground. But there was no bang or breaking bones. He rolled gracefully and got up on his feet and gazed at a shinobi dressed completely in black with a mask covering his face. Those eyes were familiar.

"I wish my students were that intellabrix stealthy", he said and winked.

The shinobi pulled off the mask and smiled broadly. "Why, thank you, Toratsugu Sensei. It´s an honour to hear that from you." He bowed deeply.

Toratsugu chuckled. "Bah, it´s no secret that you´re the best scout of the Gyokushin clan."

"You flatten me, Sensei."

Toratsugu shrugged smiling and embraced the shinobi. "It´s good to see you again, Takekage-san."

Takekage returned the smile and embrace. "It´s good to see you too, Toratsugu Sensei."

Toratsugu released him and backed off. A shadow came over his face. "Now, what has brought you all the way too Nobumura?"

Takekage smiled proudly. "I bring words from my master Matsutaro. The heads of four of the five clans of Honryu have gathered in our village. The elders and Soke of the Gyokushin, Shindenfudo, Togakure and Gyokko clans are in our village and I was sent to get you and Katateru."

Toratsugu nodded seriously. "Are they planning for action?"

Takekage nodded excitedly with a broad smile on his face.

Toratsugu sighed. "So, the time has come at last, and most of our warriors are out with Hidemitsu. Intellabrix!"

"But you expect him to come back, don´t you?"

"Of course, but we do not know when."

"But you could still go with me and talk to the others. We need you."

"We will come, Takekage. Do not worry. But what about the mainland? Have the other clans been contacted?"

"We have got words from the Takagiyoshin clan but the Gikan, Kumogakure and Koto clans haven´t answered. But it´s a long way from the mainland."

Toratsugu nodded. "What did our kin from the Takagiyoshin clan tell you about Kyoregoto, they still hide there, don´t they?"

"Indeed, things haven´t been going well for the shogun lately. The people are upset. Many have died and lost much because of the harsh conditions after all the tyco wars the Gaijin have fought."

Toratsugu smiled. "So, the time to strike has come at last."

[Formendacil]

Grid: B-18
Location: Near Shindar Fortress

So Oris Del Grakken was planning to resurrect his family's fortunes? Maybe he was serious about becoming a power...

"Let's get back to the men and plan our attack," said Elbadar. "I've seen enough."

"We need to strike quickly, with force, and withdraw quickly, before the enemy can rally. Furthermore, we need to ensure that if forced, we can withdraw back to Shindar fortress ere they can cut us off," Elbadar was saying as they returned to their men.

"We need to split them up," said Mask. "And lead them in diverse directions, so as to allow the bulk of our men to slaughter them one or two at a time."

"How?" asked Elbadar.

"My shinobi will do it," said Mask. "Wait here, and soon enough a force of the enemy will coming this way."

And collecting his dozen or so shinobi, Mask melted back into the trees.

"All right," said Elbadar to his Dragon Masters and the Daimyo's samurai. "Prepare to attack and destroy a smaller force of the enemy. Any Fright Knight is a legitimate target. The enemy Dragon Masters can be differentiated from ours by the green dragons on their shields." There was a rippling murmur through his men. "Form up!"

How the shinobi did it, Elbadar never did really understand, but half an hour later, the Fright Knights and Dragon Masters had fanned out in various different directions, in groups of about sixty. One came, as predicted, right down at them, being led astray by Mask and one of his shinobi. The two shinobi slipped into the ranks of Elbadar's men just in time for Elbadar to give the order to attack.

With about a hundred and ten men behind him, Elbadar led the charge at the Fright Knights ahead of them. The Fright Knights seemed almost unprepared, and were pretty much slaughtered, with little loss on Elbadar's side. Once again, watching the samurai around him fight, he remembered why the Ninjarian-Dragon Master war had been so bloody. The samurai were warriors of great skill. But watching his own men, he had no reason to complain, he decided.

"Quick!" came Mask's voice behind him, "my men are leading another party this way. It will be a tougher one. These are Dragon Masters, not Fright Knights."

Quickly, Elbadar marshalled his Dragon Masters and the samurai into position, ordering the samurai out of sight, into the trees. Then, lit up by the light of flame-wreathed blade, Del Grakken came into view with a contingent of Dragon Masters.

"Elbadar!" spat Del Grakken. "You look a little undermanned there, with only thirty men! This will be a pleasure, indeed! Tonight, men! Tonight we destroy the one who's tried so hard to sell us out!"

"Hold position!" Elbadar ordered his men calmly. "Swords out!"

As Del Grakken and his men bore down on Elbadar's, Mask and the Samurai came back out of the trees, and surrounded the attackers.

"Form a circle!" Del Grakken ordered. He raised to his lips a horn, summoning aid.

"This is bad," said Mask, who had somehow appeared at Elbadar's side. "There is a group of Fright Knights only a short ways to our rear. We must cut our way out immediately."

Elbadar nodded, and gave the order to start moving, avoiding Del Grakken's men as much as possible. But things weren't going well. Soon not one, but two companies of Fright Knight had advanced on them from the sides. Elbadar's men were outnumbered 3 to 2, and if any other groups showed up, it was only going to get worse.

"Cut your way out!" ordered Elbadar. "Back to the Fortress!"

Forming up, his Dragon Masters and samurai thrust their way through the Fright Knight ranks, and out of battle, but at great cost. Perhaps half their men were left behind.

"Keep going!" shouted Elbadar. "We have to make Shindar Fortress ere they do!"

It became a race. With a headstart and greater desperation, Elbadar's troops pressed on, but Del Grakken's men, fresher, were right at their heels. It was only a shower of arrows from the few defenders of the fortress that slowed down the enemy enough to allow Elbadar and his men to slip in and bar the gates.

"That wasn't good," said Elbadar, panting.

[TheOrk]

G-7 Black Falcon Land

Kale rode hard for just under a week. He flew over the plains and proceeded into the depths of the Thick Forest. That was the northern region of the Royal Knight’s Forest of Restless Spirits. This region was not supposed to be haunted, but something spooked Kale’s horse. He had to get off and pull it through by force. Kale was glad to see the back of that.

The Kingdom of the Black Falcons was getting along fine these days. After the BloodVaine war, the plague and the revolution, it was in rough shape but was quickly recovering. Queen Helen was doing a fine job as the new sovereign. Many of the cities had been rebuilt after the spring riots. Even if there were shanty towns everywhere. By next spring the United Kingdom of the Black Falcons would almost be at their original strength.

Kale’s bull armour still drew hidden glares from a number of minifigs. He simply smiled back, were he not one of King Barbod’s finest knights and not on a mission, he might do more then just smile. He never saw the Queen in person. A servant took the message and the carrying case it was in.
An hour later Kale was on his way out of the Falcon Spire.

From the outside, the city looked pristine, but on the inside it was far more grimy and darker then he imagined, not that he wasn’t used to those types of cities. When he asked a young guardsman who was passing by, he just muttered that it would take more then one season for things to become normal again.

It was nearing the noon hour now, Kale began to search for some lunch. All the inn’s or “restur--ants” he passed were either too high and mighty for him, or too poor and shabby for him, add a bar fight or two and he would call it home.
“So much for an adventure…” scowled Kale.

The Bull Knight climbed onto his horse and set off at a brisk pace. The tudor style buildings around him, whirled past as he began to speed. Kale had not been in a city since the Ball in Orion and before that, not in a true city for years. Without the green horizon infront of him, he became disoriented and was soon lost. After that harrowing “adventure” he was galloping out the main gates, back to the Land of the Bulls.

He noticed a fine looking inn on the outskirts of the city. Looking forward to a pint of ale and some form of food he stepped inside, thinking of how the day and the previous week had been uneventful…

[jamitjames]

G-7 Black Falcon Land

Jainess sighed when her body went into the nice, warm water. She had not had a bath for ages. And the overall effect was very soothing. After she had washed, dryed, and dressed, Jainess went back down stairs feeling refreshed.

She decided not to put her armour over her simple clothes. Not wanting to draw stares from any new comers, if there were any. And indeed there were new comers. Since she was last down here one person had left and three had entered. Of these one caught her eye, a Bull night. She woundered wether or not she should talk to him and rejoin the Bulls. But then the memory of Barbod came back and she pushed that thought down. No, she would not return to her people, not unless fate pushed her down that road. Little did she know what fate had in plan for her.

[TheOrk]

G-7 An inn on the outskirts of town

Kale ordered the cheapest thing on the menu and devoured it within minutes. He sat there for a moment, enjoying his ale. He looked around the inn, the other minifigs in their were of the common sort. There was a group of lads in the corner playing a game of dice. Next to Kale was a silver haired, friendly looking Black Falcon knight who wasn’t troubled in the slightest, at his bull emblem.

Another blonde haired woman walked in. She was alittle thin and rugged, like she had spent the past few nights sleeping on a rock. Kale didn’t give her a second glance. He looked at the fat innkeeper.

“Anything new happen lately?” he asked.

The inn keeper shook his head “Nothin’ much ‘round here milord.”

Kale grunted in anoyance “anyone interesting come in?”

The innkeeper didn’t shake his head this time “A few folks milord. Just a bunch of bigwigs from the government… Also, milord a Bull came in and hasn’t left yet.” Kale looked at him.

“Yeah. This rough looking lady came in lookin’ for a bath, she sure needed it…” The innkeeper stopped with the lady in question started to glare at him. “Best be goin’ now milord…” He muttered.

Kale laughed and drained his tankard. The female bull glared at him too. He thought for a moment, not knowing how to spark a conversation.

“So…It’s been awhile since I’ve seen a Bull walk openly into a Black Falcon pub.”

The woman glared at him “Whats your point?” She snapped.

Kale blinked, “nothing, half a year ago, the bloody falc-“ He looked at the dozen odd black falcons in there. “Half a year ago, they would have speared us.”

“Let them try.” She grumbled, “are you one of the “king’s” men?” Kale was taken back by that.

“Barbod?” He asked.

“Yes Barbod! Who else do you tyco think I’m talking about!?” Kale decided he would think about what he was going to say first, next time.

“You, had a problem with him” He asked staring at the empty contents of his tankard.

“Maybe. Not like I need him anyway!” She sneered.

“What happened?” Asked Kale bluntly.

The female Bull glared at him “last year when his highness was discovered, we had a disagreement. Ok?”

Kale nodded “If you say so, milady.”

“It’s Jainess.” She muttered.

“Kale.” He answered.

[Formendacil]

Grid: B-18
Location: Shindar Fortress

It became a race. With a headstart and greater desperation, Elbadar's troops pressed on, but Del Grakken's men, fresher, were right at their heels. It was only a shower of arrows from the few defenders of the fortress that slowed down the enemy enough to allow Elbadar and his men to slip in and bar the gates.

"That wasn't good," said Elbadar, panting.

On both the inside and the outside of the Fortress, soldiers were scrambling into place.

"Del Grakken's going to try and take us tonight," Elbadar panted to Daimyo Gailin, not that he needed to. Below the walls, Del Grakken was marshalling his Dragon Masters and Fright Knights for attack.

"Was the foray at all successful?" asked the Daimyo.

"We took out maybe a hundred of their men," said Elbadar, "but that's only a quarter of their men, whereas we lost half of ours."

"It's hopeless," said the Daimyo, disconsolately. "I should have known that this day would come. Sorgodh is too powerful. You should take your men, such as remains, and go."

"I've got a job to do," said Elbadar, resolutely.

"And I have no money to pay you with," said the Daimyo. "Not here. Along the coast I would, but I shall be dead ere my men could pay you, and in my death, they would not."

"This isn't about money," said Elbadar, "this has become personal."

Below them, the gates of the fortress began to bang, as the Fright Knights began to shove against them with a log battering ram.

"Go!" said the Daimyo. "Mask can show you a back passage out. Save yourselves! Take as many of my men as you may! Once I am dead, and Sorgodh's vengeance sated, they will be needed to rebuild Houshii."

"I wish to leave no more than Marshal Elbadar does," said Mask.

"Do it!" said Daimyo Gailin, "you at least I can order. Go! Or dishonour yourself."

Mask's frown could be sensed even through his ninja mask.

"The Daimyo's words, though hard," he said, "have some wisdom. This is not your day for facing Captain Del Grakken. A better day will come, when you will have a chance to win. Come, let us leave ere Po Lee can find them a way in."