In reply to Luthien (msg # 53):

Noticing the fellow glance in her direction. Perhaps the Roller would care to clarify his attentions, towards the Proncess. If in his oppinion they are not as observed self seeking perhapd he should take steps to modify his conduct.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:29, Wed 29 June 2016.

In reply to Myranda of the Glenn (msg # 54):

"What, exactly, do you think I'm seeking? I have been guarding her all this time, and I am her friend. If you're trying to imply I'm courting the princess, THAT would actually take considerable negotiation between myself, the Emperor, the Temple, the Knightly Order, possibly the Commander, and several other parties before I could even begin such a thing. Once politics gets involved, nothing is simple anymore. And when a princess is involved, there are ALWAYS politics involved. It is more likely that no matter how much his majesty likes me, it isn't politically feasible to proceed. And I have to honor his hospitality all the same."

IE, he hasn't slept with the princess, and, for that matter, hasn't even kissed her, even when they were on the road, he's been entirely genteel in everything he's done, and he's taking into account both the Emperor's and the princess's position before he considers what to do next.

In reply to Luthien (msg # 55):

Myranda raied an eyebrow in an We all have our sister in arms wellfare in mind and are privilaged to be considered her friends. Manner as she assessed the Princess'es and Emperor's reactions.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:56, Wed 29 June 2016.

  The Princess. leans a bit away from Myra  and looks at her as if trying to judge the  elfmaid's intentions.

 The Emperor his looking out over the Arena, his  Voice is Remains even, but there is indeeda slight change n his  smile,I find such talk, so very Tiresome?..Don't You Commander?

 Kree was  Not quite paying attention, but  gave Nelk a slight bow of his head,Indeed. Your highness... sometimes  my people fail to choose the proper  time,when teasing thier comrades....

 his eyes shifted to Myra,I am sure, such talk will stop, in light of its  poor timing and very poor subject matter...

 Nelk simple nodded as he said,...Indeed....

 the  archers   were  all on the  third  target, the orange  fellow was hitting all his, but  began to stumbe as the50 yard   sprints were talking their  toll.

 The Green fellow  was talking a bit longer to take his shots,  the Blue  and red archers were about  even, but  ran on wobbly legs

In reply to Games (msg # 57):

Myranda gave Shadow a cheeky grin Gave a diplomatic curtsey then made her way from the Box, out of the arena. Leaving the blood crazed dullards who should be occupying their time far with better tasks. Myranda makes her way to the Temple district.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:56, Thu 30 June 2016.

  Kree  gave a slight shake of his head as Myra departed.

 The Princess  smiled a Bit  at him and a bigger  smile  at Luthien. The Emperor , still not  taking his eyes  off the  event, smiled  slightly.

  The   Archer  and Green  made it to his  4th spot  and Fired, he took a few more breaths between shots this time, but only one hit, then he sprinted  for   the Hour glass  the proctor  held..Red  and Blue   were Just reaching their 4th spot.. the red fellow  missed  both his shots... the Blue  missed one.

 the  orange fellow   was only half  way between  his 3rd and 4th target area,, though his first two targets  where hit with both shafts, the third one  hit  high, and the second shot  missed in the sand in front.

 Captain? some people do not like this form of  archer  contest? what are your thoughts?

 Kree shrugged,Your highness? This  is suited  for  people , such as myself... we will never  be in a position, where   we line up our archers  and fire until or foottroops clash.. we have  to fire, run and Fire again...and , most times, we are not in a wide open area, or cleared   field...

 Axehandle  speaks up,You have  collect some...odd pairings  of folks, since  you took on the quest, Quickshadow?

 Kree  grinned at that,Aye, but it makes for a relatively strong  force? But? when you run a band  such as this.. people come and go, so you cannot  recruit  exactly what you need, but...instead, take those  who are willing to follow.

 The Dwarf nodded  as he  drank a deep gulp of  cool ale,Aye...lots of Companies out there.. few have  succeeded as the Arrows...

Looking at the achievements of the contestants, Kr'wyn is glad he had not placed bets on this contest. Neither archer would have been good enough to last long in a serious battle. He turns his attention to the discussion nearby. He wonders why Myra had set such a strong opinion where some diplomacy would have been far better. In silence he adrees with Kree, but it is sad that such a way of acting could divide the Arrows, even if it is just marginally.

  The green archer  Hit  his  hour  gals  sidewise to stop the  Sand... then the Red,  and the Blue reached thier's..the ornge fellow  came in a very poor . last.

  the   Head Procter went from glass to glass  a while others   counted the   points    the colored  arrows  had made ( if they hit the target).

  when they gathered together the    horn-holders  came  to the Head Proctor, he announced  the winners...

  The Green archer  has  won... By 2  Points!... followed  By the Red  Archer, and the  Orange archer, with Blue coming last...


 people booed or cheered  depending how the rooted.

 Kree Looked at the Emperor,..Though speed  is  Important. Captain...so is  hitting your target... The Green fellow  did well, but t the  deductions for missing are great..the Orange archer  is  slow but hit many more, and higher targets , then the Blue...

 Do any of these Archers  Strike you as  winning a spot on the City  Guard?

 Kree left out a chuckle, this causes the Emperor to raise an eyebrow, in what looked  concern...The Green fellow has a chance, maybe even make a decent scout? The Orange fellow  should be on a wall or  tower, he will be , next to useless, in the field... the read and Blue, should  just be lumped into the mainstream archers....

 ..The green Archer,,is  MY Nephew..on my late  wife's side......

 Indeed? But that does not change what skill he has  shown, fi he has  royal Blood in his veins, then he should take up the challenge to may proud, his name?

 The Princess spoke up,and  what of  My skills, Captain? 

 Kree bowed his head,and smiled,Good Lady?... Your skills are Raw at best. But   your heart is  strong as is your will. Should you  put  both of those to work, in shaping the first?.. you can be a grand  archer....

 she frowned and  looked at Luthien,..so?.. you are saying  i am ...at best.. a poor  archer?

 Kree smiled, the smile of  a teacher with a promising student,..I am saying, Good Lady... your  skills need to be honed... this  does  not come with breeding, nor  with  coin...if you make a mistake in a courtly dance, then only your ego suffers  as  folks titter  and giggle. If you make a mistake in the filed, you..or worse yet, those who count on you could die....

 ..So?... I am no good to the Arrows.....

 ..Good  Lady... I would stand with you in a fight, again Your  strenghts  have showen brightly.... once  you have honed your  archer skills, and practiced with the Blade, I have no doubt you will shine in those areas as well...

 She smiled  a bit  at kree,at this.

 Nelk Looked  a bit angry,So?...CAptain, You would take  my untested  daughter, before  My archer Nephew?

 It was kree's  turn to laugh  as the Emperor's head snapped around to glare,Your Highness?..I already have... The Good Lady wears  an Arrow, as does the her two loyal handmaidens...could very well be, the time comes  , when  i call upon your Daughter and her  LAdies to join out Team, should the right Mission come up.....

 She almost shot  out of her seat at this, Nelk's mouth dropped open.You would dare to take  the Crown Princess into danger?

  Kree turns his head   as he watches the archers get their  rewards and smiles, yet again, Dara has  learned much this last Month...she has  seen the world , outside of Polished floors and  warm fires.....with or without the Arrows, she will never be as she once was. And that,  Your Highness... is a step upwards...

"I might add, your majesty, that those who wear a crown are never really out of danger. Even now, there are probably a dozen people seeking your life for various political reasons. If she continues to travel with us, the odds of her life actually being taken go down. Guards are wonderful, but ultimately, the best person at taking care of a person is themselves. It is why, your majesty, I would recommend most royal heirs take up combat training. They will inevitably need it."

There are more then a few paths Dara could take in her training.

"If she takes up the ranger's path, she will become woodwise as well. Also a very useful talent for those in power to have."

   proctors come out, they place a spear at the  east and west side of the  lake.

   Then the  Jam a short sword  into the sand at the east and  west  sides of the lake


  then,  a shortbow  and 3  arrows  are laid in the  sand by the north and south doors.

  The Head  Proctor speaksBrerl of Ancot. a village   north and east of  Engar, was taken  aboard the Pirate Vessel, Dark Cloud.... Sgt Buirt  is charged with his capture  and voted  against  Brerl's  freedom., this battle will be  until first Blood, or death, whichever comes first..... The  contestants  have  20 minutes  to fight the match...If , in 20 minutes there is no clear Winner, Brerl will be set free... as ordered by the High Captain.... You may Move ,  once the horns sound.

 Proctors line the  walls and the Horns  sound, the  SGt  scoops Up the  bow  and three arrow as as he makes his way to the east sword...

 Brerl gathers  up the bow and  arrows  and heads  for the spear.

Brie happened to hear the conversation and leaned towards Kree.  She then looked around and figured that Ivy was still attending to his own needs and took a seat next to Kree.  Hearing the comment about the Princess or the nephew archer, she snorted.

I'd choose the princess over pompous head any day, she replied and crossed her arms settling back into the seat.

Rolf, hearing the comments as well, observes, "Signing on with the Arrows is a matter of skill and dedication.  One who is worthy should be afforded the opportunity if they wish to pursue it, accidents of birth not withstanding."

Kr'wyn is surprised to hear that the king would prefer a mediocre member of his family above an excellent professional when it would come to protecting the king. Of course there is the matter of loyalty, but even in the best families not everyone is loyal and there were loyal professionals, like the arrows that would put their own lives in the balance to keep someone else safe. He would have no doubt who to choose.

  the Two ran about  the  Lake,, Both  had  their Bows  Nocked  and ready. The SGT Fired  first, the  arrow  Cam a few inches from hitting the Big Northman.  the Northman smiled as he sprinted  counterclockwise to  try to 'catch Up to the SGT.

  As he  went to round the  far end, the Northman leaped on sidewalk that boardered  lake , not  only Cutting  of yards he had  to Run, But Surprised the SGT, who had his Bow ready for him, when he  came around. As the Northman Leaped  from boarder  he threw his Spear, The SGT   tries  to Turn and run, But the spearwent through his  thigh and Pinned him to the  Sand.

  with slow deliberation, the  northman walked slowly up to the SGT  who gritted  his  teeth in agony, reaching  down in the sand, he picked up the SGT's  sword .

 The Proctors   called the Contest, but is looked like the   Big man was still Going to strike, until the other proctors  Drew back their bows

 The   Head Proctor  announced,Brerl Of Ancot is Deemed innocnet, by trial of combat, he will be released this  night with a fitting purse to compensate  for time served....

  The  Northman walked to the far end  waving to the crowd, while   healers and a clearic of the Alpower came out to help the  wounded SGT.

................


 Nelf  nods,I do hope that SGT  can continue his duties? I hear he was , rather a scourge , for the  river pirates?

 Kree pointed  with his  brink hand to the Northman, ..I think i would rather have Brerl....

In reply to fight (msg # 67):

Diana had wagered on the pirate.  There was something about him that she liked, she couldn't exactly put her finger on it.

When he won, she kept watching, smiling slightly, when it seemed the sgt might be run through.  A wry smile indeed.

Lucy had become somewhat bored so far.  After the first competition, things seemed to slow way down.  The one on one of the pirate vs sgt grabbed her attention once again.  She wagered on the pirate, and watched as the competition unfolded.

She clearly rooted for the pirate, despite herself.  When it was over, she clapped for the victor.

  The  Last fight was ready to start.  Horid  stood in , rather  Rich looking Leathers , that were decorated with  Symbols of the Alpower. he had a Staff that sported a point at the end.

 The Colonel wore Infantrymen's Leather  and  carried a stock sword and a buckler

 This is the last fight of the Day..It will be to the death, the winner will be exiled  from Ironmound  and  all lands that  fall under Her  flag....the Loser's Body  will be dropped into  The Storm as an Offering to the Gods who watch out water ways.... Begin.....

  the two circle  about the sand ,the Proctors set up a wall, Preventing them from moving to far  around the Lake..they were stuck.

 as the Moved the  Head  Proctor  shouted,in 15 minutes, if there is not a winner, both shall die.....

 this  quickened the Pace. Sand Flew  as the Colonel  moved, the portly cleric  struggled to move, though his staff seemed to have a  life of its own, it  did not seem to show how  good he can move..

  the Colonel suffered a  few Whacks  at his thighs   and  shoulders, The  Fat cleric  suffered  a few nicks of his legs and   arms.

 2 minutes..... the proctor shouted.

  The  Colonel waded   in  and  rammed the  heavy man with his shoulder, the    Cleric, turned  just a  bit as he  took the blow, then stabbed the  Colonels  right  Foot into the sand  with the point staff, As the Colonel, howled in surprise, deftly the staff   came   but and  swirled  hitting the Colonel in the Face, the man barely hit the sand, when the  staff as  slammed into his throat,The Colonel  struggeled a minute or two, his eyes   wide  as htr  e  tried to  remove the  staff from his throat, But Horid, had  His Full weight on the  staff, until the light  vanished  from the Colonel's eyes.

  The portly Cleric  was brought before Nelk's  BoxHorid?.. you have  survived..yoou have   2 days before   posters with you face and NAme  are spread about the Lands...a 1000 Gold  bounty on your head....a  Griffon rider was sent to Engar this  morning,  Your  families  estates are being sold, and your family being turned out into the  countryside  to live  as commoners...They should take Eta  and Neta , that fortune has seen fit  to allow them to live....have you anything to say?

 the  Cleric   was breathing heavy as he saidYou will see me again.  Your Highness... and that dog of an elf will die by my hands.....

 Nelk gave him a cold  smile,be off..and tarry, not long. 2 days  flies fast, when 1000 gold  is on the line.

 The  Left and Nelk and said to the crowd,Now that  the games are done, and the traitors to the Crown are dealt  with.. I am Pleased  to award The Crimson Arrows, thier contract  sum and well as  a Bonus....should all companies    be as loyal to the Crown, we should never  fear our foes!

 Most of the crowd  roaring, but  it would be less then honest to say that there were some who were more  worried about collecting their own sums.

  Nelf  shook hands  with all the arrows who attended Thank You Captain, should  we have Need, we will send a runner to  The  Plank.

   Indeed, Your Highness...and you have  some arrows who  can make that run for you...

 The  Lady Smiled   as  did the Princess.

  The  Arrows  left  first  as   The Emperor greeted  some  out of  town 'high borns'.

  all right.... we get this back to Reedrick and see what we  get... meet at The Plank an hour after  Sundown.

 kree to the Plank>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Diana was surprised at the victory of the Priest.  As she watched, she noticed that the colonel might not have been the soldier she had thought.

When the priest slammed the staff into the colonel's foot, she nodded in approval.  That was certainly an unexpected, and slick move.  Then the end came.

Diana could only shake her head.  The Colonel clearly had gotten very soft in his later years.  To be caught off guard by the priest.

She had bet heavily on the colonel, but had also bet some on the priest, just to cover.  She went to collect the meager winnings on the priest.

Afterwards, she made her way to the Plank, eventually.

Lucy had bet evenly on both.  She was tempted to bet heavily on the colonel, being the military man, yet something told her to watch out for the priest.  So, instead, she had wagered evenly on both.

When the priest slammed the staff into the colonel's foot, she applauded.  It was a very slick move.  But then to watch the colonel be easily dispatched afterwards, she was, honestly, surprised.  She had certainly expected much more of a fight by the colonel, in fact, she had expected him to win.

Yet, here was the priest being exiled.

Well, so be it.

She went to collect her winnings.  She had a pretty damned good day at the arena.  perhaps she could get into a few games of cards tonight, and her luck might extend.

Eventually, she made her way back to the Plank.

"What a simply stunning display", he thinks to himself, "but I wonder what a priest could have done to earn such an end.  Even my transgressions never warrented so serious a fate.  I wonder if I can track him down before he vanishes", and with that thought begins winding through the crowd.

Rolf shakes his head in response to his dark thoughts.  What good came from this contest?  The priest's life was saved, the colonel's life forfeit.  Both were well placed to have many secret alliances and now the priest has even more cause to despise the crown than he had prior to the fight.  He was now more desperate, and any hunter knows that the desperate prey is the more dangerous prey.

But the people had their spectacle and the crown had it's amusement.  Rolf hopes the price for them would not prove more than they could afford.

  When the  carriage  stopped  at the entrance,  tropers from the Building  lined up to give passage for those who arrived  in the carriage, and  entourage .

 Dala  Dismounted    with her  weapons and waited for Luthien to escort her  in.

 Sir Navies   stood behind them, a few others who rode  Horse , lined up behind him.

 they would make their way into the arena  , as cheers  erupted, , and the  cordon of troops   gave them free  passage to the  Emperor's box.

In reply to Luth (msg # 75):

Things were so different last time he was here...

Upon dismounting, he does indeed dismount and escort Dala to the Royal box.

He didn't miss how people cheered, nor who they were cheering for. As Navies had predicted, it wasn't the Emperor for whom they cheered. No. It was Dala, when she entered, that got all the attention.

It reminds him how blessed he is to be courting someone so loved by everyone around her.

as they settled into thier  seats, they noted   some runners who were running and   Jumping  over obstacles, to see who would finish  first.

 People watched  as they ran in groups of  10, with the top two going on to the next groups, until there were only 4.. then they ran for the prizes..

In reply to Luth (msg # 77):

Races...

Well, he wouldn't win those. He's not built to be the fastest runner around. But he also appreciates the effort it took each one of those racers to be as quick as they are. The final 4 are quick indeed.

"They had to work deceptively hard to be that fast."