[IC] Knights of The Dawn Covenant: The Longest Winter

[Ace of flames01]

Ruinil felt a light tap on her bac. She turned around a beheld the giant beast before her. Most people would probably be high tailing it for the hills at this point; however, Ruinil wasn't most people. She seemed unfazed not only by the fact that she was standing in front of a giant bear but also by the fact that it could speak.

Ruinil listened to what the bear had to say as curiosity piqued her interest. "Very well. Please take me to see her." She replied politely. The bear seemed to gesture a curt nod before he led Ruinil to an underground cellar. Throughout the entire walk, Ruinil remained silent and never once questioned the creature or his master's intentions.

Cythlla had been setting up for the ritual. She had a magic circle drawn on the ground with chalk. She could have used blood but it was never necessary in the first place. Other necromancers just used it for theatrics or particularly powerful spells.

Once Cythlla noticed Ruinil come into the room a smile came upon her face. "Oh good your here!" Cythlla said with a smile. She had feathers on the floor along with multiple other objects all part of the ritual. She had extras in the corner as well incase it some how failed. The Feathers were actually part of a failsafe she had been using.

"I wanted to give you a familiar, I think it would be helpful for you if you had some muscle to help protect you in the future." Cythlla said, rather proud of herself as she was doing something nice to her for once.

"I see. The offer is quite more than generous. It would be a great shame to refuse. What would you like me to do?" Ruinil replied smiling softly, he expression held that of gratitude and sense of warmth. She had glanced around the room identifying various items throughout the room, all of which she assu would be part of the ritual in some way or another.

Cythlla grinned at Ruinil as she got out her shovel and dug it into the ground. "I'm gonna need a bit of your blood for this to be binded to you. Just a drop should do." Cythlla said as the wind in the room started to pick up.

Once a drop of blood had spilled onto the magic circle it started to glow. From there the items in the center started to glow, just as they started to rise up and a portal was opening everything stopped. All at once. "Uh-oh." Cythlla said realizing that something had gone wrong. She should of expected this as it was her first time casting the spell. At this point thorughout the whole castle 'clucks' could be heard.

Then all at once Chickens appeared out of no where, they jumped infront of templars, tripping some, others finding bald templars and sitting on their heads. Things were in chaos. It was a chicken invasion.

Cythlla then without a word moved to the wall with chalk quickly trying to make a counter spell to reverse this.

[Zelosse]

@Ace of flames01@Zetsuko

Nothing in this world hurt more than Ruinil explaining her pain at that moment. How many battles had he waded through, how many monsters had nearly killed him only to die at his feet over the years. How many horrible scars etched his body in testament to his resilience? Yet it was words spoken that hurt the warrior more than anything else he'd experienced. As the left the room his will cracked for a moment and he grasped the lockbox with an iron grip, flames licking his hand that threatened to destroy it. With a growl he dismissed the spell and replaced the lockbox. There was business to attend to now that his duty had been fulfilled.
With a sigh of relief he removed his dented chest piece and examined it thoroughly. The spike had gone clean through, but had missed his lung and even the ribs. How lucky of him.. He wore a plain white shirt below the iron and leather chest piece and grimaced. Stained with his own blood, another hole in this one too, and a fresh scar for his collection. It had healed into a spiral, bright red and swirling as the flesh had mended in a circular motion apparently. "Another for the collection.." Bartuc sighed and walked out into the keep. Like any fortress it had an armory and spare clothes. He chose a form fitting black shirt and put on his armored gauntlets, leaving his arms exposed.
Bartuc briefly visited the mess hall, gave a wave to Argus, a few other knights, and found himself on the outer wall. The night was cold but he barely noticed it, so wrapped in his own thoughts. He barely noticed the avalanche of chickens and figured it was a normal occurance, oblivious to the check resting on his shoulder. Arms crossed and head down he nearly bumped face first into Landeel. "Oh. Pardon my intrusion.. I came for some fresh air.." Trailing off, Bartuc took in the scene. The village was peaceful and blanketed in snow and his breathe came in a cloud. It was refreshing. He couldn't resist turning around and putting his back to the wall to get comfortable. "I'm sorry were unable to help you, Sir."

[Zetsuko]

It was quite on the wall. Landeel came close to drifting off as he watched the snow fall but was stirred by the sound of clucking and the strangest feeling that something was on his head. He slowly brought an arm up and brushed it across the top of his helmet, prompting a chicken to hop of of him and onto the edge of the wall. The chicken stared up at Landeel who stared back, the two of them stayed like that for a time, simply staring into each other's eyes, before the chicken clucked again and fluttered off the wall, falling outside of the keep.

"Hmm"

Shortly after the chicken had jumped from the edge Landeel figured he wounds. He took of his shoulder plate and the upper arms guard of his left arm. There wasn't a serious injury there, it was fairly easy to clean the area with a cloth and wrap the gash in a bandage. He was moving his arm around to make sure it still had if full movement range when a knight nearly bumped into him. When Landeel turned, pausing for a second at the sight of a chick on his shoulder, he recognized another Knight from Sunderland's group."ah, it's no matter" He didn't know the knight's name however "I probably would've fallen to that ambush had you not shown up" He started to replace the pieces of his armor. "I don't think i ever caught your name, Sir...?" He turned his head to look the knight up and down.

[Zelosse]

@Zetsuko

"Bartuc Crestfallen of no home worth mentioning. I had been traveling when Starguard was attacked during a stop in. Damn place was swarmed before we could organize.. Not much better on the roads it seems.." He gave a hearty sigh and slumped further down, the chicken clucked and fluttered to his lap where it lay quietly and roosted. It was nice to have something, even for a moment, that was of no harm to himself or others. Everything about Bartuc was designed to harm, it seemed. "I must admit sir, I was impressed to see you in action. For an older fighter you have the grace of a man in his early thirties." He craned his head to look at the templar once more. Despite his age the old man had a lean body and fighters muscles. Few more years and Bartuc would look like him. Had Landeel fostered children? Was his legacy secure?

"Tell me, Friend. Do you have family in these parts?" The question was harmless, meant to kill time, but Bartuc needed to know the answer for his own peace of mind at the moment. Far too many questions occupied the minds of the templars this night.

[boomlover]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMytIlNzOTY (Skip to 1.03)

Argus yawned as they approached Thanermere. The road had been a few more days lucky no one dying on the way. The area around Thanermere Was halfly abandoned those who had stayed had boarded up there doors and windows. Some looking through the cracks. As the came closer Argus saw the condition the castle was in. It was old Like created in the second age old. But time had been merciful as only a few cracks showed. As For Argus himself he was just happy to get something to drink. He jumped of his horse and with a smile on his face walked to the hall. He imagined great kegs overflowing with ale. Of rows and rows of table full of meat. Instead all he got was a giant hall barely having anything food related. However there where some barrels full of ale and some kegs surrounding said barrels. He walked over and started drinking. He started drinking and drinking and did i mention drinking? Thus went on for some time until A bunch of drunk Templar's made there way into the great hall

(Stop music for now :) )

They took a seat a few tables from Argus and started drinking. Argus mostly ignored them and kept on drinking as well. Then the Templar's started to notice Argus. The grinned and started whispering to each other. Then what seemed to be there leader walked up to Argus."Well well well. How is my favorite dwarf doing?" Argus eyes widened by his voice. Then quickly replaced by that of silent rage. He looked up at the man and saw his old squad buddy Thomas. The biggest racist he had ever met." Why am i not surprised to see my old 'friend'. drinking himself to death like all dwarfs do." Argus looked at Thomas but not with a face of rage but that of joy." Well if it isn't Thomas. They guy who could not even kill a wolf cub." This seemed to have hit the mark as Thomas head became as red as a tomato." I don't have to take that from a sad midget like you." Now this hit the mark with Argus. He looked at him barely controlling his rage and said.
" You like some ale?"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogzlmuH7nuY

Before Thomas could even answer Argus Grabs his keg and throws it at His face. Thomas doges it narrowly, the keg flying trough the hall and lands in a group of other Templar's. who also seem to be very drunk. They look up and look at Thomas and Argus. Stand up from there Seats and starts walking over. Before Argus can react to any of this Thomas calls for his drunken Buddy's who then drunkenly charge against the other group. Argus seeing an opportunity he can not miss jumps onto the table and screams." BARFIGHT !!" He then jumps from his table into the fighting group and starts punching faces. Other Templar's either drunk or just bored join the fight. Argus seemingly enjoying this kicks someone in the shins climbs onto the man's neck and jumps landing on Thomas's face. They roll around punching each other

[Snarfulblast]

Karl stirs to the sound of clucking, and fighting. Opening his eyes Karl finds himself face to face with a chicken, lifting his arm Karl pets the chicken gently it clucks quietly and settles down on his chest. Karl continues to pet the chicken as he turns his head to face the bar fight. Karl watches as Argus beats the crap out of three other Templars by himself, thats when the mug hit Karl in the face. Sitting up and taking off his leather chest piece Karl makes sure the chicken is comfortable before leaping into the fray. Punching, kicking, and yelling Karl ends up back to back with Argus,"So friend hows the fight?" He yells found enough for Argus to hear.

[Zetsuko]

@Zelosse

Landeel put his pauldron back in place and rested his arms on the wall and nodded at Bartuc "Landeel Forossa. I'd heard of the attack on Starguard. I was stationed here and never saw it for myself. I'm sorry for the loss of your comrades" He did gain a little bit of a smile at the compliment. He turned and leaned his back on the wall as Bartuc asked abut his family. Landeel dipped his head and paused for a moment before answering "my only family is my sister, Khana. She's with the order as well, but she was sent to a different fort. I wonder if she'll be sent here after this attack..." He looked up for a moment at the sound of brawling coming from the hall but only sighed, let the drunks have their fight it hardly mattered right now. He looked back at Bartuc "What of you? have you any family? any loved ones?"

[Zelosse]

@Zetsuko. Bartuc didn't bother getting up at this point. The tired fighter was enjoying the moment of unwinding with the older templar. Both had seen more than enough chaotic violence in their respective lives.
Landeel, if memory served, had fought against the order in a revolution when Bartuc was still an initiate. Troublesome times. The war had been stopped when a majority of its members had a sudden change of heart.
Change of.. Heart... The thought hung in his mind heavily as he considered the possibilities. The parchment was capable of that, so a talisman was ideal but changing hearts gave new possibilities.

"Hm?" Shaking his head momentarily. "oh. No. My family was killed shortly after I became an initiate. I've also never managed to swoon a woman long enough to sure children." The chicken caught the sound of a scuffle and promply fled, so Bartuc took the opportunity to stand and stretch. He would take the time to carve runes into a new chest plate some other time.
"We cannot dwell on our past forever Landeel. Too much importance dwells on the here and now." The sounds of scuffle had reached a peak, shouting could be heard even from the walls. "I dont know about you, but that sounds like something worth investigating."
By "investigating" he meant run to the sound of the commotion with a grin on his face.
The very moment he entered there was already a challenger. Though he doubted Landeel would allow this kinda brawl, being as he was in charge, the fighting urge was upon him. He couldn't stop now even if he wanted to.
His fist crunched into the mans nose and sent him back a solid 5 feet.
"Landeel, let this happen. Its a good lesson for those gone soft.." He wasn't speaking to the man, since he hadn't bothered to check, but hoped he did.
With a roar he threw himself into the thickest fights.

[TheDarkTemplar]

"I do not intend to lose any more of my brothers and sisters in arms. You'll survive this, Glodin. We all will-", Evelyn went silent as she was taken by surprise at the sight of a chicken standing at her feet. "Where did you...?", she asked without expecting an answer, though it wouldn't come as a surprise if the fowl did speak, what with Henry and all. Looking up and around the grand hall, Evelyn's jaw dropped upon seeing the entire fort was infested with chickens. Scholars were fighting off the birds from tearing at age old texts, knights were fighting off hoards who had decided to attack, some priests were even praying for this curse to be lifted. "Captain Sunderland! What manner of madness is this?!", Scholar Printh came bolting towards the young captain, covered in egg yolks he asked, "One of your kind has done something to bring these creatures here! Have you any idea what valuable information rests in these halls?!". Evelyn was just as furious as the elderly scholar, "Forgive me, Master Printh, I will get to the bottom of this as soon as possible!". Evelyn already had a few suspects in mind as she traversed the sea of chickens, making extra effort not to step on an egg. 

Storming into the mess hall, Evelyn was greeted to the sight of a full on brawl. She barely managed dodging a chair being thrown her direction as she stepped further inside. That alone was enough to anger the captain but her rage was intensified when a drunken templar threw a wild punch at her, landing right in her jaw and almost toppling her over. Evelyn stood there, eyes burning with rage like hot coals, arcs of lightening began to jump across her arms before she managed to calm herself somewhat. Remembering a spell she learned from Grathan, Evelyn placed two fingers on her neck before reciting a short chant. Suddenly her voice boomed across the keep as she yelled, "WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE GODS ARE YOU DOING?!".

[Zetsuko]

Landeel didn't have time to say anything back to Bartuc before he rushed off to the fighting in the hall. Landeel sighed and shook his head before moving to follow. He then saw the amount of chickens in the keep stopping for a second to take that in. He helped some knight and scholars shoo away chickens on his way to the hall, even collecting a few eggs and putting them in one nest out of the way as he went. He eventually made it to the hall just after the Knight-Captain, in time to hear her amplify her voice and shout throughout the hall. He stood beside her and looked over the scene infront of them. Three of the Thanermere guard he'd gathered stood behind him.

[Zelosse]

@TheDarkTemplar

Bartucs laughed like a child as he waded into the worst fights he could find and swiftly put the offenders on the floor out cold. His left eye was swelling and a few ribs were cracked as his one man rampage got full swing. A templar raised a chair and hurled it at someone entering the room. Bartucs left hook caught him in the jaw with a crack.

"hah. This is nice." He turned to see if more people were joining only to stand straight as a board and salute. Knight captain Sunderland looked none too happy with the scenery. Chickens everywhere, rioting, and here he was in the thick of it. "Greetings captain, as you can see we a-" a templar struck him in the back of the head while he wasn't looking. The rebuttle was impressive to say the least. Bartuc growled and grabbed the man in both arms, raising him well above bartucs head before slamming him into the ground. "cheap shot!"

[Ace of flames01]

Ruinil heard chaos being unleashed upstairs and in fit of worry she turned to Cynthia and quickly replied, "My apologies but you seem to be much more experienced at this type of magic. Thus I am afraid that I have to leave this matter to you. I promise my swift return."

She then made her way to the chaos' epicenter as quickly as she could. The mess hall. Upon entering she immediately recognized and acknowledged Evelyn and Landeel with a curt nod. Her attention then turned to the crowd of beaten up Templars. "Oh for Gods sake..." She murmured embarrassed. She then noticed a particularly tall figure amongst the crowd, Bartuc.

Upon noticing his swollen eye, bloody nose, and a few other minor injuries, not yet noticing the more severe ones; she became extremely concerned and slightly flustered over his condition.

She quickly made her way through the crowd and over to him. She looked up at his face and gently placed her hand on his cheek, trying not to hurt him. It was then that Ruinil noticed the gash on the back of his head. "Alright... That's enough..." She replied, her voice was cold and cruel and held a grave warning to those who tried to continue fighting as her crimson eyes stared down everyone in the room, causing a most of the troops to stiffen up and a few even flinch.

Ruinil slung Bartuc's arm over her shoulder and supported Bartuc with her other arm. "Lean on me if you have to." She replied to him softly, her voice still held the same cruel coldness. She then led him back to his bedroom and gently laid him on the bed, not saying a word to him.

She paced the room for a few moments before finding a roll of bandages and small container containing ointment. She tried to hide it but she was clearly worried and flustered. Not understanding the reason as to why she was feeling like she was only made her frustration and caused her break down and cry a little. "What the hell is wrong with you?! Do have any idea how worried I am?!" She snapped at him finally as she hit the dresser with her first, her back turned to him to hide the tears.

[OtomostheCrazy]

Kaathe just didn't know what to do. He didn't understand the how or why of it. It was confounding. It was annoying. Its very presence was starting to hurt his very being! He would assure anyone who knew of this that it was no laughing matter.

He actually cared about how the Knights of this place were treating each other.

It wasn't that he hated th shovel-girl. He just didn't care about what may happen to her. He didn't care about what happens to anyone!

Yet the way those knights treated her, even though she was a knit herself...it bothered him. For some reason, the fact that they would treat any fellow knight that way after suffering a tragedy almost a week ago, bothered him. Especially when the little girl was already hated.

He couldn't stand it. It ate away at him, and he was beginning to have severe headaches because of it. He was getting dizzy, deluded, lost...He needed to do something before his head bursts!

Then he looked at his hand. The makeshift bandages were still stained with the blood of his cut. For a moment he just stared at it...then he smiled.

"Maybe, it's time I do something about it..."

Yes...that was it. Vent it. Humor these feelings that have no business residing in him anymore. Force them to leave, by giving them exactly what they want.

And what these feelings wanted, was to remind those Knights that all of them are allies, and mistreating even one other knight out of personal hatred was foolish. He would show them how it felt to lose those brothers and sisters-in-arms. He would make sure it.

One particular experience worked perfectly in this place, but a mere illusion is not enough. He needed them to experience it first hand...so he removed the bandage on his hand, and opened his wound. He made another cut, just to be sure, and tensed his arm to let his blood spill.

He placed his hand on his face and thought back to a tragedy that happened years ago. The blood that spilled onto his face began to glow and pulse with power.

"Nostalgic Moment..."

[Zelosse]

Like a frightened lamb he caught sight of something truly terrifying to him, one that held no formal rank but was equally as devastating. Ruinil walked angrily through the throng Ina direct line to Bartuc who could only stand tall and defiant. His injuries hadn't fully healed and still he had thrown himself into carnage recklessly. Why is it that staring at this beautiful woman reminded him of not doing something stupid..

Despite how heavy he felt as the adrenaline died dow the proud man chose not to accept Ruinils help. It would make him look weak in the eyes if others and they needed to know he felt no pain, no more how badly they beat him. The numbing root he had chewed earlier was slipping off too. He chose the best option and was escorted out by the dangerous elf lass.

The walk back to his room was almost heaven sent. When was the last time someone had ever done this, let alone a woman? His mind was a jumble as more and more confusing events took place. Years of carnage, weeks on end of fighting, the edge of destruction had never been far.
He laid down in his bed as was told and couldn't help but grimace. His ribs hurt like hell and he could only see out of his right eye but even that was blurry.
She spoke softly and it finally cracked in his skull.

You big idiot.. She likes you. Thoughts of their time on the road, her laying in the muck as the fight waged, the unbridled rage he felt at that imagine made his whole body tense and muscles bulge but another hiss of pain forced him to relax.
Ruinil hissed her displeasure and it was all coming together. He stood up and gently made his way to the elf lass only to realize she was.. Crying. "You are crying..." He stated more than asked, reconfirming his earlier guesses. "It should be me who sheds a tear, to have someone like you, so young and full of life, even considering me as a person.." He took another step and kept speaking to her back. "every day of my childhood was filled with the thought of a day when... When I would..." Struggling for the right word was difficult for a man more suited for war. His shyness made him stumble on the word. "find.. Love." Bartuc was balling his fist at his own weakness but could not stop. The words had come and they would not stop. "You are graceful in battle, yet your touch upon my skin was gentler than anything I have ever known. Your tears cut me deeper than any blade, and when I look upon your smiling face I see peace for the future. For my own tired soul.." She turned around and he sprung. "forgive me." He whispered as he kissed her softly, his hands wrapping her firmly in his embrace. If he died now, he would die as he has always tried to be. Free.

[Cuccoruler]

Cythlla continued to her efforts trying to cancel the spell. As she was about to complete it however a chicken bumped into her leg leading her to mess up the magic circle she had on the wall. Before she had a chance to erase the mistake the spell escalated. It seems that the spirit that was summoned in her spell was that of a trickster. Soon enough many of the chickens within the castle started to change, first their necks were elongated, then the beaks changed. Then they became full on geese. About a quarter of the chickens had changed into Geese and were now wrecking havoc within the castle.

"No-NO!" Cythlla yelled as she fixed the magic circle again and continued her work on the counter spell. At this point Henry was now fending off geese to allow Cythlla to work. He knew that she would get in trouble for this. Hopefully she wouldn't be called a heretic or anything though. Atleast her failsafe was working. It was preventing the creatures from becoming anything more than farm animals. If Cythlla couldn't finish the counter spell soon though these creatures may elevate into Emu's, then things would get frightening.

The Geese were now on the attack.

[Ace of flames01]

Hearing his words made her cry even more. Part of Ruinil didn't want to hear such kindness and affection but she could help but feel happy that she heard it. She then suddenly found herself wrapped inside Bartuc's embrace, his lips pressed against hers. She found herself unable to pull away herself from him and unable stop herself from accepting Bartuc's affections.

The experience was foreign and strange to her and yet she could not help but feel some what happy about the whole thing. The warmth and softness of Bartuc's kiss, and the tightness of his embrace made her feel safe, happy, and something else. Something she could not yet understand and was completely foreign to her. Her heart was pounding and the tips of her ears burned causing her to blush wildly. "H-he must be delusional from the injury he suffered... Yes that must be it..!" She thought silently, trying to make sense of her own emotions.

[TheDarkTemplar]

Evelyn held a stern look as she eyed down every participant in the brawl. It wasn't the fact that they were fighting but that they chose to fight in Thanermere of all places and only add to the chaos of the chicken infestation. Taking a few deep breaths she calmed herself as she examined the full damage of the mess hall. Fortunately only a few chairs and a table had been broken of thrown out of place, however a good amount of ale had been spilt with some kegs being smashed. "You all are going to clean this entire hall. You will not sleep until it is spotless and if come morning I see anything out of place there will be severe consequences", Evelyn eyed Bartuc as he was carried out by Ruinil, he'd be dealt with later.

Scholar Printh had entered the mess hall soon after and an instant look of horror came upon his face as he eyed the aftermath of the fight. "Captain Sunderland, I hope you and your men plan to repair these damages", his voice was calm but it was clear he was holding back a great amount of anger as he shooed away some chickens who pecked at his shoes. "I've dealt with the problem, Sir Printh, you'd best get some rest as I'm sure today has been tiring for you. My apologies once again for such trouble". The elderly scribe shook his head as he walked away to his room. As for Evelyn she glared at the men one last time, a signal for them to get to work, before heading to the library section of Thanermere. It was her hope that there she'd learn more about this Dead God and perhaps how to stop him, either that or how to remove all these chickens from the halls.

Evelyn delved deep into as many books as she could carry. Tomes from the first era all the way to modern times yet she found no mention of Sar'than. It was when she thought back to the interrogation did she have a breakthrough. The cultist stated that the Dead God was existant before man arrived on Miras. Perhaps he did exist then but even if he was as old as the first era he was never mentioned despite possessing such power. Then perhaps he existed then just not on Miras, perhaps he'd been the cause of man's arrival on Miras? Perhaps Sar'than had driven them from their ancient homeland. It was there that the Knight-Captain found what she'd been searching for, deep in the archives of Thanermeres vast libraries, a tome written from the time of the First Men's arrival on Miras. The text was written from the perspective of one of the priests of the old gods when the first ships of man landed on Miras. It wrote, For so long we've traveled the seas I know not how long we've been at its mercy. Upon first sight many cried out in joy for the gods hath given us a new home, far from land we no longer cam call home for tis a land unfit for the living. The heavens had been greyed upon our arrival on land, the gulls called over head as waves crashed on the strange new sands...Our lords dared not to settle by sea for fear of what we left would return. Inward into this new world we ventured, the blessing of the gods with us, until we saw them. Strange people, ears pointed like arrow tips, taller than mere men, and speaking a strange tongue...Blades were bloodied shortly after, these demons must be removed from power over this land.

It was still unclear if Sar'than was the cause but after reading the account it gave Evelyn confidence in her theory. If she was right then this threat was not something the order alone could handle. By morning's first light she'd send crows to the other northern forts. The North would have to hold back the enemy, buy Evelyn and her men time to rally the kingdoms to their aid. For now though she'd rest, the journey here was long and painful and the young captain had begun to feel the strain of the journey. Unfortunately for her, the once harmless chickens had begun to change into geese, flying at anyone they saw Evelyn's anger began to rise again. "Whoever is doing this is going to pay", she thought to herself she began to traverse the halls of Thanermere, fending off mad geese the entire time. At one point she could here the growling of a bear and figured Henry might need help getting these geese to back off. Searching for the origin of the growl, Evelyn noticed it was coming from the staircase leading down to the cellar. Carefully making sure she didn't slip on an egg, Evelyn ventured down to investigate, eventually coming upon Henry fighting off a gaggle of geese as Cythlla performed some kind of ritual. "Ah, I see you are working to deal with our bird situation", Evelyn seemed unnaturally cheery as she said that but her tone quickly changed when she spoke again, "That's good because once your done with this you'll be on watch duty on the battlements". Without another word, Evelyn marched back upstairs and to her room where she herded the chickens inside out. Once she was finally alone she removed her armor and prepared herself a bath. Tonight was really getting to her and some time to herself was desperately needed.

[Mega Birb]

Upon the arrival to Thanermere, Lucien had two things on his mind; cold drinks and a warm bed. His back was aching severely from just having spent the past week sleeping on bedrolls, one night of which he'd managed to wedge a particularly sharp rock between his shoulder blades and another in which no one got any sleep. Once inside the keep, he quickly dismounted and left his horse, which he had taken to calling Chaplain, and left the beast in the nearest stable.

Running inside the best he could, Jakorian quickly bumped into the mead hall, and he could've sworn he was in heaven. Surrounded by well made drink and people weary from a day of hard work... then he spotted a discarded mandolin on one of the long tables. It had been awhile, but he made his way over and picked the stringed instrument up, then set to tuning it. A quick moment passed, then he strummed each individual string to check his work. Slightly off, but it would likely take a trained ear to notice. And so he started to play, his usually gruff voice becoming surprisingly melodic as he sang.

"Sar'Than's hordes, they did darken the sky,
Their roar fury's fire, his blade cold as ice,
Men ran and they cowered, and they fought and they died,
They burned and they bled as they issued their cries.

We need saviors to free us from Sar'Than's rage,
Heroes on the field of this new war to wage,
And if Sar'Than wins, man is gone from this world,
Lost in the shadow of black magic unfurled!

But then came the Templars that terrible day,
Steadfast as winter, they entered the fray,
And all heard the music of Sar'Than's doom,
The sweet song of Miras, a sky-shattering tune!

And so Templars freed us from Sar'Than's rage,
Gave gifts of freedom, ushered in a new age,
And if Sar'Than's eternal, then eternity's done,
For his story is over, and the demons... are gone."

The Cleric sat in a nearby seat as a small crowd started clapping for him, satisfied that the victory song he wrote for the future was relevant before the deed was even done. Then someone got bashed over the head with a mug, initiating the bar brawl.

Lucien held a record he placed great value on; he'd never been knocked out in a bar fight, and he intended to keep that title. So he fought, mostly dodging the sloppily thrown punches, and at one point dropping a lighter table on an elf that had actually landed a hit.

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE GODS ARE YOU DOING" There was Evelyn, standing in the doorway with a fresh welt on her jaw, and there was Lucien, holding the terrified aforementioned elf by the collar and drawing back for a solid punch across the face and standing on a table.

'Could this week get any worse? Honestly?'

"You all are going to clean this entire hall. You will not sleep until it is spotless and if come morning I see anything out of place there will be severe consequences"

'Dammit...'

[Snarfulblast]

Following suit with Runill Karl grabs Argus and drags him (somehow) from the brawl. Still dragging Argus, picks up the chicken who has made a nest from his chest piece and brings it and Argus into the cellar, following the sounds of geese and a bear. Finding Cythlla and Henry Karl lets go of Argus, walking into the room and helps Henry shoo away the geese,"Okay so what in the bloody hell happened down here?" Karl places his chest piece,with chicken still in it,on a barrel. Curiosity had gotten the better of him and he wanted to know exactly what had happened and why chickens and geese where everywhere.

[Zelosse]

@Ace of flames01

She thought him delusional, from something so simple as a wooden beam to the back of the head. Her eyes betrayed her thoughts to the wily fighter at that moment, sensing her willingness to proceed. Bartuc was a man of honor and would not sully her like this, not ever. His hug was warm and his breathing was steady as he held her trembling form against his own, her hands could feel every scrape and scar that graced his body like a testament to his incredible endurance. "I told you I would protect you, and watch over you, and I did my duty." Bartuc gently looked into her tear rimmed eyes and smiled, a warm smile that had never graced his face before to his knowledge. "I have one more promise to make."

Gently he pushed her back from him and lowered himself to one knee, bowing his head with both arms crossed over his burly chest. "I want to love you 40 years from now the same way I love you at this moment. I promise to be with you for as long as my mortal life allows. Never will you be lonely... never will you know despair." Bartuc stepped up and grabbed Ruinils hand before placing it over his heart. "This heart, for you and you alone, till I am nothing but dust."