It was mid morning in Feravan, the capital of of the kingdom of Illion. A large crowd had gathered under the shadow of castle Whiterock to watch the tourney taking place for the seventh nameday of crown prince Gerold Mabelode, son of king Maric Mabelode, first of his name. This day, all work was forgotten as the peasantry and the nobility gathered together to watch some of the finest knights of Illion display their skills of riding, jousting and melee. Everything was in place, and the tourney would begin any minute now. The crowd, commoner and nobility alike, tensed with anticipation.

King Maric sat on a raised platform, and by his right side sat his son, Gerold. Queen Margeritta Mabelode sat on king Maric's left, fanning herself with an exquisistly crafted fan imported from Chai. Seated behind them was Steward Mayen Poole with his family, and all around them were gathered the nobility of all Illion.

Standing by king Maric's side however, was a stranger from a far away land. Clad in simple, yet durable clothing and covered by a green cloak, this stranger was Sun Snake, a young Kai initiate from Sommerlund. He had arrived in Illion only last night, bearing a message for king Maric on behalf of his superiors at the Kai Monastery. While he had wanted to leave for his home right away, king Maric had commanded him to stay for the tourney.

"So Sun Snake, this is how we have fun in Illion. Are you not happy to have stayed for the tourney then? Surely your superiors will not begrudge you a bit of revelery. All that abstinence you monks do is not good for a man." King Maric bellowed to Sun Snake in a booming voice.

"Papa, you should have commanded him to take part so we could see how a warrior of Sommerlund would face up to a knight of fair Illion." Little prince Gerold piped up with an arrogant sniff, indicating the Sommlending would not fare very well in such a match up at all.

"Now now dear, Sommlendings are nice valorous folk. A little simple perhaps, and a little boorish but human all the same," Queen Margeritta chided Gerold while fanning herself vigorously.

Sun Snake is happy to hear the sounds of civilisation all around, the countryside of Sommerlund is beautiful and yet always brings a disquiet to the Kai Lord. Being allowed to journey from the confines of the order is a great honour, made all the more sweet by visiting parts local and now exotic.

However, the young Kai was uncomfortable being around royalty, sheltered as he had been for many years. The Kai had not even seen stood near to local royalty, let alone one from half a world away. Certainly, the Kai Lord was uncomfortable at being ordered to remain when his duty surely lay back home now.

Sun Snake bristles at the initial question from the king, and there is a pause as he has to find a suitable answer, then phrase it in a manner he hopes acceptable. In the meantime, of course, the rest of the king's family have spoken, and perhaps Sun Snake is forced to pause longer than courtesy allows to finish composing his answer in his head.

"I again thank you all for your hospitality on behalf of my order," he says with as much of a bow as courtesy demands, but feeling the strongest urge to give no more than that.

"Our devotions are always on the mind of all of our order. Through them we seek to be closer to our god and the lessons he imparts."

Sun Snake tries to keep his tone neutral.

"My training in sword and shield has, so far, not been blessed by Kai. I would dishonour the abilities of my fellows by claiming otherwise and making a poor showing."

Sun Snake feels his face flush at the admission,, as if his own inability to learn the tactics of battle has betrayed his order infront of those who demean his country.

Then an idea slowly forms in his mind.

"However, if his majesty would permit, I would be honoured to return his kindness by displaying the skills Kai has gifted me."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:07, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

King Maric chuckled and replied to Sun Snake.

"Nay young one, there is no need. Relax and enjoy the tourney. That is an order."

As if on cue trumbets blew loudly, announcing the start of the tourney, and soon a parade of knights entered the lists. They were garbed in gleaming plate and the colors of their house, and were armed with long lances of ashen wood. Five waist high barricades had been erected in the center of the field and the knights entered each one from both ends until all five barricades had two knights apiece at either end.

With a simultaneous salute to the crowd, all knights charged at each other as one and the crowd roared with approval. The ground seemed to shake under the hooves of their mounts and then suddenly ten lances struck ten shields...and every one of them broke with a loud snapping sound. The peasants roared again, as did king Maric and all of the nobility around him, many standing up and shouting their approval. For all lances to break at the start of a tourney without a single rider unhorsed was an excellent omen for the tourney, and heralded of a great day of entertainment and glory to come.

The knights charged to the ends of the field where their squires each handed them a new lance, then whipped their mounts around and charged again...

Sun Snake bowed again to the king, internally sighing in relief. The lofty thoughts of defending the honour of his order evaporated upon seeing the striking array of knights taking to the field.

Sun Snake kept an eye to the field, but made a quick look around, interested in whom was in the crowd close and looking at him. Sun Snake felt a little exposed after the comments of the royal family. A little like a dog on display, and it was not a position he felt comfortable with. He controlled himself from stretching forth his senses to feel any less than kind thoughts. It was not a worthy use of his abilities.

Sun Snake also took a look behind to the family of the steward, partially out of interest but mostly to ensure he was not blocking the view of any of them.

As the charge started the Sommlending found himself even more impressed with the display. He looked around at the sudden display of enthusiasm, and made sure to fake a smile and nod a few times to any who caught his gaze while clapping loudly.

Still, he would not be a Kai Lord if he was not interested in martial prowess, and Sun Snake decided it might not be such a bad thing to be commanded to enjoy the day.

Sun Snake quickly scanned the crowds out of habit but found nothing out of the ordinary, just a bunch of nobles watching the tourney. He was about to turn away when movement at the corner of the crowd caught his eye; a bunch of pages dressed in long flowing tabards were emerging from behind the stands, carrying food and drinks for the nobility. One by one they began vending their items to those that called to them, while one page came forward to serve the royal family and the steward and his family.

They day passed swiftly and it was soon early afternoon. The knights of the House of Mabelode had performed better than all of their counterparts, and the royal family was in high spirits. However, as the last of the knights took their leave from the field, disaster struck!

Sun Snakes discipline of sixth sense tingled but before he could do anything there was the sound of a crossbow firing, and crown prince Gerold Mabelode suddenly jerked forward in his chair, falling out and hitting the floor with a thud. Blood pooled all around him and his legs jerked in spasms of agony, his hands clutching at the crossbow bolt sticking out from his chest.

Private to Sun Snake: You see movement out of the corner of your eye. Its one of the pages, he is tossing away a crossbow and then turning around and vanishing into the crowd, heading towards the rear.

For a moment everyone fell silent, then someone screamed and was joined by the yelling and shouting of a chorus of voices. Queen Margeritta jumped down from her chair and ran to where her son lay, while king Maric stood yelling for the guards.

"The page! It was one of the pages! Stop him!" yelled Sun Snake, already moving and pointing to where the boy had disappeared. Somewhere his slower mental functions were screaming at him to stop for many reasons, but the talents Kai had gifted him were all geared to moments such as these.

Like the snake of his name, the Kai Lord snapped out quickly from his coiled readiness. His brain tried to take account of the confusion and list all the actions he needed to do - look to the price, look to the king for orders - but his body was already being pulled by his senses.

As Sun Snake tried to barge through the crowd, still yelling and pointing, his keener sight and hunting instincts were scanning for where his prey had gone next. His mind was being hijacked to assimilate all the information he could see so his his tracking knowledge could be used to spot the signs of passage. And ahead of the crowd, his more supernatural senses were trying to feel for the wrongness in thought of a murderer fleeing the scenes.

Suddenly pandemonium erupted among the stands as the nobles all surged forward to take a closer look at what was transpiring up front. Meanwhile guardsmen rushed in from every side, cussing and jostling at each other as they answered king Maric's plea's for assistance. Sun Snake's cries were drowned out amidst all the chaos and the shouting, but nonethless the young Kai initiate sprang into action.

He darted through the crowd, pushing at the nobility as they pressed around him and leaping over the rows of stands, finding the going to be very tough. By the time he reached the place he had last seen the page, the boy had disappered and Sun Snake stood all alone, the tossed crossbow on the wooden floor near him.

Undeterred, Sun Snake called upon his mastery of the Kai discipline of tracking, and scanned the ground with a keen eye hoping for some kind of trail. He was not disappointed as nearby he saw a crossbow bolt lying on the ground. Further to the northwest he saw another. It appeared the page had run in a northwestern direction, leaving the stands behind him and proceeding up a small rise in the field.

OOC: You may take the crossbow and the 2 bolts if you wish.

Sun Snake ignored the weapon for now, fearing wielding a crossbow might see him apprehended in all the confusion. Plus Sun Snake did not wish the delay.

He tried to jump into something approaching a vantage point to see the guards, and wave for their attention.

"The page! The page this way!" he yelled.

However, the Kai Lord did not pause too long to see if any had spotted his urgings. The hunt was on, and with his prey's path marked clearer, the Kai Lord relied on his greater speed to aid him in perhaps a swift apprehension.

Knowing the direction the page was going, the Kai Lord moved with certainty that way, looking for signs of why that was the page's destination. Some part of his brain was nagging at Sun Snake - did the page really think he could just flee with a crowd, guards and knights around?

"Assailant! Assailant of the King! Stop him!" yelled the Kai Lord as he ran, pointign in the direction he travelled. Perhaps someone would understand him, or at the very least understand the Kai Lord was runnign towards something, not running away from the scene of the crime.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:07, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

Suddenly Sun Snake spotted the page as he was making his way towards a horse tethered to a nearby tree.Sun Snake's cries alerted the page who glanced back frantically then redoubled his speed. However, he was no match for a Kai Lord trained in the discipline of hunting, and soon Sun Snake had closed the gap between them. Far behind him he could hear the cries of the guardsmen as they too had picked up the scent, and commanded all the runners to halt.

Due to the massive lead the page had over Sun Snake, he was able to reach his horse first. He quickly sawed through the rope with a knife then jumped on, digging his heels into the mount.

OOC: You have now reached him just as he is urging his horse forward. If you wish you jump aboard you will need to make a 1d10 roll with a +2 bonus thanks to your momentum. Otherwise you can attempt to drag him from the saddle, which will be resvoled as a round of combat, but with no damage dealt. If you have the higher combat ratio you drag him down, if he wins he gets away. Or you could attack him normally, in which case you only get one shot before he manages to ride away.

Sun Snake pushed himself as hard as possible, determined that the page would not get away. Sun Snake's hand already dropped to his trusty hand axe, and odd reaction but the Kai Lord was not thinking too much - besides he later realised it was easier to free and a better close quarters weapon.

"Stop! Stop in the name of the King!" yelled the Kai Lord, bracing himself for his next action. Sun Sname realised there was no reason for further words, and his own had given away the pursuit. Still, hopefully the guards were closing in on his position. If he could just delay the assailant for a few moments...

Sun Snake's leg's and arms already tensed, and as he got within range he instinctively made the leap forward.

OOC: Rolled 6 + 2 = 8, which is roughly the standard so far and makes up for the 10 CS! Sun Snake will look to get on the horse this round to be in a better position to strike or pull the page off next round - hopefully being able to get hold of him better and push him off will make a difference next round!

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:44, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

Sun Snake's years of training came to the fore and he tensed and leapt at exactly the right moment, landing atop the horse behind the page. The page turned wide eyed, and unconciously dug his heels into the flanks of the horse while simultaneously pulling back on the reins, causing it to suddenly rear back on two legs.

Both Sun Snake and the page tumbled off and landed in a heap. The page quickly got to his feet and drew a long dirk from underneath his robes, hissing.

"You'll never take me alive Sommlending!"

OOC: Roll for combat.

Page: CS 10 Endurance 20

Sun Snake struggled to recover is axe, but managed to and faced the page. He had, perhaps, expected to need to pursue him once again - being attacked was unexpected.

Sun Snake took a step back, unsure of his footing. While the axe felt good in his hand it was not the weapon he trained at the monastery with. And he had no wish to kill the page - even if he was sure too -

Sadly, it resulted in him mounting a poor defence to the page's first attack.

OOC: Rolled a 3 for the first attack round. With axe in hand, that's CS 12 so I guess CR +2.

If Sun Sname wants to try and subdue the page, is there a way for him to do non-lethal damage?

For this round there'll probably be an instinctive lethal reaction with his axe. If he can't do non-lethal, he might try for a decent blow to a non-vital area (ie I roll a decent random number) and then try some intimidating threats. Not being takemn alive might look different when he's bleeding profusely :)

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:45, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

The page moed first slashing at Sun Snake with his long dirk. Sun Snake backed up quickly, avoiding the blow and drew his battleaxe from his side. His Kai training came to the fore and Sun Snake parried the next series of blows from the page, Then, seeing an opening he struck, chopping down on the page's arm and drawing blood. The page hissed in pain and struck out wildly, stabbing at the Kai Lord's chest, his dirk slipping through a link in the chain and drawing blood of his own.

Sun Snake:-3 EP

OOC: You can fight unarmed to do non lethal damage. FIghting unarmed means subtracting 4 pts from your combat skill.

Page: CS 10 Endurance 14

Sun Snake snarled at the pain of the blow. However, at least it focused him. Sun Snake's mind caught up with the situation, and he settled into a familiar combat pattern despite the difference in weapon.

With his body taking on a few accustomed defensive postures, his mind was allowed to recall something that had been said to him by his foe.

"If you know my nationality, then you know of the Kai. And you know your skills are no match for mine! Neither will your 'death' be permanant. I can pull you back from that escape route as easily as I unhorsed you!"

Sun Snake found his opening, and clumsily parried the dirk with the flat of his axe. Using that momentum, he then brought the weapon down heavily on the shoulder of his foe.

"Surrender! Betray your employer's name to me, and you have my word I will speak on your behalf to the less kind ears behind us!"

OOC: Rolled an 8 for the combat round, but if a second roll is needed for intimidating his foe then the 5 I got seems a little low.

If this doens't work, Sun Snake might need to pull some blows after all or fight unarmed. That could hurt!

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:46, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

Sun Snake's axe bit down deep into the page's shoulder and the page cried out in pain, dropping his weapon as his entire arm went numb.

"I surrender, I surrender! Please don't kill me Kai Lord," he sobbed pitifully, holding his wounded shoulder as blood gushed out in rivulets.

"I was paid to do this, the cowled man said he would pay me my weight in gold nuggets. I don't know his name, only that I was to meet him at the Rowdy Rooster Inn after completing the assassination."

The sound of running feet was heard and suddenly they were surrounded by loud, mouth breathing guardsmen. They told Sun Snake that he had done a good job and quickly took the page into custody.

"We'll take it from here Kai Lord. Its off to the gallows with him until the king decides what is to be done."

Sun Snake breathes a sigh of relief internally as the guards show up. The Kai Lord felt only the god Kai's own grace allowed the inexperienced fighter to deal with his assailant. Sun Snake gingerly touched the wound from the dirk, but adrenaline and pride were keeping him - for now - from showing the pain of it to the King's guards.

"I am only glad my skills could serve his majesty at this tragic time," said Sun Snake, giving a small bow to the guards.

"Might one of you spare me a moment? I wish to check the naive's steed incase it possesses a clue to help find the page's employer. I would also welcome a guide back to his majesty's camp. I want to report what has been said to me, and be quizzed on what I have seen, incase any small details may help. While it is still fresh in my mind, that is."

When the page was out of hearing, Sun Snake asked, in a low voice, "What of the King's son? Do you know his condition?"

The Kai Lord then look for the horse the page had been recently dismounted from. It was a long shot, but any clues might well help. Sun Snake felt out of his depth, and did not wish to reflect poorly on his order during such a tragic occasion as this.

OOC: Hmm, rolled a 6 to either find or coax the horse. However, then rolled a 3 for checking it and its possessions for anything out of the ordinary!

I guess back to the King.

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:47, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

"Prince Gerold is gravelly wounded; the last we saw before giving chase was the king summoning his best physicians to attend to the lad." one of the guardsmen said to Sun Snake. "I doubt he will be willing to see anyone right now, but I can spread the word you wish to talk about this incident to his majesty."

Thereafter, the young Kai proceeded to search the page's mount which was standing nearby, munching on some grass. A thorough search revealed nothing of interest. Realizing no further clues would be found here, Sun Snake proceeded to follow the guards back to the castle grounds.

The tourney grounds stood empty as the tourney had been cancelled following the assassination attempt on the prince. The crowd had quickly dispersed in order to rush back to their homes and be the first to spread the word about what had happened.

The guards strode in through the castle gate, dragging the sullen page behind them. As Sun Snake made to follow, one of the guardsmen at the gate waved him over and said, "Hail Kai Lord. The steward has sent word that you are to reside in the guest quarters until you are summoned by the king. It may be that he may have a message for you to take back to your superiors in Sommerlund."

Sun Snake nodded gravely at the news, but was glad the young prince had not taken an instantly fatal wound. Again, the Kai Lord felt his face flush as he realised with embarrassment that Kai had not blessed his disciple with the ability to heal with hands and will alone. And the young monk's practical knowledge could not hope to rival a King's own physicians. He gave his thanks to the guard, and pressed him not to disturb anyone unless they truly required the Kai Lord required him at this time, for he did not want to disrupt legitimate investigations.

Sun Snake allowed his slow thoughts to collect as he walked back to the castle, his hands empty of further clues from the horse. Noting the clearing of the tourney gave Sun Snake pause. Surely the King should have kept everyone here. The page had been paid by someone to kill the prince. Either that someone had wished to do something at the same time, or that someone would wish to see his money well spent. Either way, the true villain of the peace might have just slipped through their fingers.

Still, Sun Snake was inexperienced - it was his first lone mission - and he did not presume to know how to handle these situations.

As Sun Snake came to the castle, he felt a twinge of disgust and a tremor of fear at seeing the page. It was an appalling concept to think on, that someone would take money to end a life, not even acting on their own beliefs. Worse yet was the thought that, but for Sun Snake's luck and instincts, the page could have caused a second person to be close to death this day.

Sun Snake nodded to the guards who addressed him, listening carefully to the words. He gratefully headed to where the guard indicated. A chance to freshen up would be welcome. A chance to freshen up, and possibly try to get his thoughts straight.

"Would the room have parchment and a quill?" asked the Kai Lord before he departed.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:50, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

The guardsman nodded and motioned to a nearby page.

"Take the Sommlending to his quarters."

The page nodded and began walking away, Sun Snake trailing after him. After exiting the castle courtyard they walked towards a corner and went up two flights of steps. They emerged onto a broad walkway, its balcony overlooking the courtyard. Against one wall were a number of room leading towards the guest quarters, and the page opened one of them, motioning the young Kai inside.

The room was candle lit and sparsely furnished, being a living quarter for visting kngihts, messengers and others as it were. Guest quarters for visiting royals and other highly valued people were somewhere inside the castle proper.

"Please remain inside until you are summoned, Kai Lord," the page said, closing the door behind him as he left.

There was the distinct sound of a lock being turned on the door a moment after it closed.

OOC: In one corner of the room lies a small table with parchment and ink if you wish to use it.

Sun Snake stiffened as soon as he heard the key in the lock. He moved forwards quickly, subconsciously stretching out his senses to work out if he was being tricked.

OOC: Rolled a Sixth Sense test, got an 8 without bonus. Will write the rest assuming he doens't feel anything conclusive.

Sun Snake backed away from the door uncertainly. Still, he had no idea of protocol. And slowly, he also realised that the most suspicious person at the tourney was, of course, the Kai Lord himself. The young lord had been perfectly placed to see the successful completion of the attack. And the young Lord had apparently managed to get the attacker and capture him.

If Sun Snake were one of the King's advisors, he might eventually get suspicious of the Kai Lord and his perfect alibi.

Such a sobering thought - even if it were rampant paranoia - had an affect on the young man. He quickly settled down to write as much detail as he could recall about the incident, chase and the page, which was sadly not much.

Anything about the weapon used, stance of fighting, the words the page had said to the Kai and anythign else of note the Sommlending wrote down as perfectly as he could produce them.

Satisfied, but still restless, Sun Snake then stood up, stretched and felt the pain of his wounds again. He did his best to clean himself up and tend to the injuries with what was supplied.

Sun Snake then finally looked around the room, using his time to distract himself from his aches and pains by looking for alternative means out of this room. Not that he was expecting to use them. Still...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

Sun Snake stretched out his senses towards his surroundings but found no hint of any immediate threat to his person. Settling down then, he wrote the events of the day from his perspective onto the parchment. Thereafter he saw to his wounds, cleaning them in the small washbasin in the room. He tried to look for any other way out of the room but there was only a small window for air, too small to squeeze through.

After a short while however, there was the sound of padded feet upon the hard marble floor of the corridor outside. The lock turned and the door opened revealing the page who had escorted Sun Snake to his room earlier.

"Lord Mabelode wishes a word with you, Kai Lord. Please follow me."

OOC: Just so you know, Illion is actually ruled by the council of 6. The leader of the council is King Maric Mabelode.

Sun Snake feels relieved and foolish once the page comes to collect him. He takes the paper he has been scribbling on, although he is confident the act has allowed him to firmly fix the important details in his mind.

"How is the young price? What is the latest word?" asks Sun Snake as he walks along with the page. The Kai Lord still feels apprehensive, and takes a moment before he realises why. Of course, he was only a short while ago facing off against once of Mabelode's pages. Quite a strange turn of events.

Sun Snake subconsciously starts to adjust his cloak, realising he is about to be in the company of the King once more. He tried to focus on what he knows of Illion, incase it will be of use in the coming discussions.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:13, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

They walked through the marble covered corridor then went down a flight of steps, entering the main hall. From there the page proceeded straight to the throne room with Sun Snake behind him.

"The young prince has perished, Kai Lord. His wound was too grievous to bear. The bells will soon start tolling, informing the realm that their crown prince is no more."

They entered the throne room which was empty, save for a few guardsmen and King Maric, who was sitting in his throne his head held in his hands in grief. The sound of sobbing could be heard from a room behind the throne room and had a clear feminine tinge.

King Maric looked up as they entered and dismissed the page with a gesture, and spoke in his deep baritone.

"Welcome, Kai Lord. I hear we have you to thank for capturing the assassin of my child. For that, you have my eternal gratitude. Alas, it seems to be for naught, for my child has perished and the page was but a pawn. We questioned him and he tells of a hook nosed man who paid him and arranged a meeting at a certain inn not far from here, after the work was done. Do you know anything about this?"

Sun Snake felt the weight of the page's words, and bowed his head while uttering a platitude. He continued on towards the king in silence.

Sun Snake bowed to the king upon arrival, suddenly uncertain in his countenance. As a person, he had no idea how to deal with the grief of a father. And as a young Kai Lord, he had no idea how to conduct himself in private audience with the king. Certainly not at a time such as this.

Sun Snake gave his condolances in what he felt was a thin, strained voice, not feeling any pride at the inital thanks.

It was a disconcerting shift when the king moved on to business, although in retrospect he would expect the king to behave no other way. Sun Snake felt a little foolish taking out his parchment, and hesitated before mentioning it.

"Your majesty, I have written down my exact thoughts for you and your advisors to peruse, incase some small should escape my recollection now or later. However, the page said a similar thing to me as he has to you. He claimed a cowled man had offered him great wealth for this task. And he claimed he was to meet this man afterwards, at I believe the 'Rowdy Rooster Inn'."

Sun Snake stood for a moment uncomfortably. Was he really honouring his order and his god by simply repeating what the King already knew? Was there nothing else he could do with his talents?

Suddenly, Sun Snake felt a pit in his stomach. Slowly, whatever urges and thoughts had been simmering since he had heard the page's confession bubbled to the surface.

"Your majesty," said Sun Snake, once more feeling the thinness of his voice, "I told you earlier this day my skills were not that of combat. However, the god Kai has granted me abilities that might be of use to you. I have learned to hide myself in a crowd, even pretend to be that which I am not within reason. And I can track prey through a town as easily as in the wild."

Sun Snake took a breath and tried to swallow.

"The assassin's horse is still in the grounds. And perhaps knowledge of his capture is not yet widespread. If you can give me a uniform similar to the page's, and a good cowled cloak, I think I can imitate the page's mannerisms. Enough, I hope, that from afar I might be mistaken from the assassin, and this 'hook-nosed man' might be drawn out for the meeting. Enough so that your men can apprehend him. At worst, I may be able to follow this man so you can get an idea of his purpose or allegience in his flight."

OOC: Despite Sun Snake's words, and despite the need for urgency, he'd certainly want to see the page in his cell to get a feel for the assassin's body language when sitting, when nervous, etc. Assuming this plan is not insane, of course.

King Maric listened to Sun Snake carefully, nodding his acquiescence at the young Kai Lords plan.

"A sound plan indeed, young one. Truly, if I send a host of knights to apprehend this man he may see them coming and flee. Your idea is for the best I think. I do not think there is need for you to wear the page's uniform, but simply keep your cloak about you and your face hooded as long as you can. But first, I have a gift for you for your swift actions that captured the assassin alive."

He clapped his hands and a page appeared carrying a velvet cushion. Upon it was the finest sword Sun Snake had ever seen. Its blade looked sharp enough to cut steel, and it had expensive jewels embedded into its hilt.

"This was to be awarded to the winner of today's tourney, but it is only fitting that you receive it instead. Now, you shall have a horse to speed you to the Inn the assassin mentioned. Make hgaste, for a lot depends on your success. We must find out who sent the assassin."

King Maric said solemnely.

Sun Snake did not know what to say, especially with the bells about to toll the young price's death. The Kai Lord bowed his head in thanks, and took the blade.

"I will not fail you or your country at this time," he said, hoping this was the right tone. And hoping that Kai's blessing would be proof against any of fate's potential trickery.

Sun Snake ensured his simple cloak covered him well, and also made a request for a good scabbard that would hide the blade he now possessed.

Initially the Kai Lord thought to leave the sword behind, but pride and the feeling that the blade may be needed kept it at his hip.

"Will there be guards close, and a way to signal for them?" asked Sun Snake. He worried the king might think too highly of the young lord's powers. Once more, Sun Snake felt the pride of his order at stake so far from home.

OOC: On to the inn I guess! I'll roll a camoflage check and then a sixth sense check for the inn itself. Assuming nothing happens on the way... and assuming camoflage is a passive thing Sun Snake doens't have to concentrate on once he's set it up.

Edit: A 7 and a 9 respectively for the rolls.

"My troops will be but an hour behind you. Find out what you can and try to take this man alive. However, if he has too many allies with him, return back to my troops and they will try to apprehend him." Lord Maric stated.

Dismissed by the king, Sun Snake made his way towards the royal stables where he was presented with a fine steed. He was also given a scabbard to hold his wondrous new weapon, along with precise directions to the Rowdy Rooster Inn. With that, the Kai Lord dug his heels into his new mount and made his way along the Kingsroad that meandered away from Castle Whiterock.

He traveled through rolling hills and wide pastures, the day passing swiftly by. He passed no other travelers on the road and it was evening when he finally spotted the inn at a crossroads, where the Kingsroad branched with a smaller dirt track that led off towards some nameless village while the Kingsroad went on towards the city of Meramerth.

The Inn was a medium sized building, with white paint covering its stone walls. Its roof was of good thatched wood, and a small stable was nestled next to it, with a young stable boy just outside raking some leaves from the entrance. Apart from the stable boy the inn appeared deserted; there was only one other horse tethered in the stable, and no sounds of the usual revelry and merrymaking that usually surrounded an inn of this size emerged from the building. Sun Snake gathered his cloak around him and considered his next move...

OOC: The sword is magical and adds +2 to your COMBAT SKILL.

SHADOW: I should point out that, while the sword is the same, the one Sun Snake holds now is much more powerful. I guess he learned to unlock more of it's power over time... of you can just ascribe that to the fact that our game's rule are a bit different from the one used by Sun Snake's previous GM. ;)

Sun Snake had time to consider his upcoming mission and the bewildering events of the day, however in the end he allowed his mind to simply wander.

As the day waned with no signs of civilisation except for the inn, Sun Snake felt uncomfortable. He had to remind himself that Kai's gifts seemed suited to the wilds outside civilisation, but that did not stop his nerves growing.

The fact that the inn was less occupied this evening than it had a right to be did not help his fear one bit. Sun Snake ensured his cloak was wrapped firmly around him, and dismounted early and led his horse quietly towards the stables.

Sun Snake tried to keep his features hidden, and instead made an exaggerated nod of his head at the stanble boy, freeing the reins and jingling them at the lad.

As the boy came close, Sun Snake dug into his belt pouch and produced a single Gold Crown, allowing it to catch the light spilling from the inn.

"I'm here for business," said Sun Snake in a low voice to the boy. An advanced Kai Lord could use his experience to mimic another country's accent perfectly as part of his divine gifts. Sun Snake did not fool himself that he was anywhere close to that level yet. Instead, he simple tried to make his voice more gravely, and disguise his Sommlending pronunciations with fake Illion affectations.

Sun Snake continued, very self consciously. However, fear ensured he committed to it.

"This coin is yours if you can tell me who else is here already. And also why the inn is so quiet this evening. Should it not be packed from travellers leaving the Tourney this day?"

OOC: Let me know if I need any rolls for Sun Snake trying to hide his features, clothing or accent.

The stable boy stopped raking and leaned on the rake as he listened to Sun Snake. A greedy light entered his eyes when he saw the gold crown, and his fingers quivered where they grasped the rake, as if he could barely stop them from wanting to snatch the coin out of Sun Snake's hand.

"Only three other travellers are here milord. One came from Feravan early this morning, while the other two came from down south just yesterday," he said in a thick yokel accent. Raising one hand to wipe his brow he stared again at the coin and added, "The inn is empty because everyone is attending the tourney. It'll be packed soon though, once the good folk start coming back south."

Friendly Tip: This would be a good time to drink your potion of Laumpsur.

"Whose is the horse?" asked Sun Snake, awaiting an answer before finally flicking the coin to the stable boy along with giving the lad the horse's reins.

Sun Snake breathed heavily, wondering if he dare do more. Of course, the thought of letting the assassin's paymaster escape and having to face the king afterwards made Sun Snake a bit bolder. The Kai Lord took out another two crowns, and fanned them out again letting them catch the attention of the stable boy.

"Sometimes my business contacts try to avoid me," he said still trying to disguise his voice and accent. "If that other horse is more securely tied than its owner would expect, and mine is still in your care and ready to go when I leave here..."

Sun Snake moved the crowns around one last time before they disappeared into the Kai Lord's cloak again, and Sun Snake himself moved towards the inn's door.

OOC: To be honest I had forgottehn the damage in the fight. If I can retcon an action, I would happily have Sun Snake consume the Laumspur before arriving!

"The horse belongs to the man who came from Feravan this morning," replied the boy snatching the coin out of the air and biting down upon it, before shoving it inside his dirty tunic.

He listened further to Sun Snake and his eyes again gleamed greedily when the Kai lord flashed more gold coins at him.

"I understand sir, it will be as you say. I will tend to both horses personally."

The sun was sinking further below the horizon with every passing moment, the evening light dimming as it did so. A light breeze began blowing from the south, cooling the humid air even as it swirled the remaining leaves in the air around them.

OOC: Sure, you can assume to have drunk the laumspur while you were riding here.

This message was last edited by the GM at 22:19, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

Sun Snake flourished the coins once more then put them back very deliberately, nodding at the stable boy's words.

The Kai Lord was not sure if the gentle sensations at the end of the day were a message from Kai or just a pleasant reminder of the world around him. Either way, Sun Snake savoured them as if they might be his last pleasant memroies. With a determined motion he walked to the inn's door, and moved to open it so he could slip inside. Hoping to act on instinct before his brain could work out everything that could go wrong!

OOC: I guess Sun Snake will try and be subtle when entering, quickly move to the least lit part, then look around for the innkeeper or his contact. He'll use Sixth Sense to try and feel for any dangers / anything out of place. I rolled a 5!

This message was last edited by the player at 21:49, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

Sun Snake opened the door to the inn and slipped inside, trying his best to blend in with the shadows. The interior of the inn was sparsely lit and there were only four people present. One was the innkeeper, standing behind the bar and cleaning a mug. There were two others sitting at a table near the unlit fireplace. Finally, there was a third man, hooded and with a long hooked nose sitting at the largest table in the room, with room enough to seat six. An aura of dread seemed to emnate him, suffusing the interior of the inn.

He looked up as soon as the door opened, and his black eyes seemed to penetrate the shadows and look directly at Sun Snake's soul. After a long moment, he finally looked away. A cup containing some drink lay untouched in front of him.

Sun Snake was shaken. He had not thought that the hooked nose man would be anything other than a normal man. However, he felt a shiver as the man regarded him. Did this go deeper than politics? Was something more sinister involved, and therefore more sinister agents were pulling the strings? Or was Sun Snake merely allowing his fears and inexperience shake him. After all, Sun Snake had not had so much resting on his young shoulders.

The Kai Lord decided discretion was the better part of valour, and was thankful he was trying to imitate an inexperienced page in a shaky situation. His actions - whatever he decided to undertake, and odd though they might be, could hopefully passed off.

Sun Snake shivered again at the man's look, but decided his Kai given senses would have screamed if this were more than nerves at play here.

Sun Snake looked for a table close to the door, and looked to get the innkeeper's attention. He thanked any delay that allowed him to gather his wits. Sun Snake deliberately kept his body facing the hook nosed man, and just as deliberately kept his look away from the man. He hoped this botched attempt at nonchelance would keep the man's attention and make him suspect the page can indeed come into the establishment.

"Keeper," said Sun Snake in a low voice, hoping it was quiet enough to disguise his Sommlending accent.

"Can I trust you in a delicate matter? I...I'm a page of the King's employ. I accidentally picked up an item I should not have in the confusion of this terrible day. The man in the corner with the hooked nose - please don't look! - I understand is upset, believing it stolen. I...I just want to make it right. I...could you ask him to meet me outside? Just..just tell him a page of the King, that was upset by the tragedy of the prince's death this day, did something that might appear bad to people. That the man might understand what it was, and if he could do me the trouble of meeting me outside, we might be able to put it right quietly. Oh my goodness, this is so embarrassing. Could...could you do that for me please?"

Sun Snake put an earnest hand on the innkeeper's.

"Tell him...tell him if that is alright, to lift his cup up quietly to me, and I will go outside to await him. I don't want others to know! I do hope he understands, I feel so foolish. And yet with all the stress this terrible day, it could cost me my job!"

Sun Snake hoped this would work. He knew he was nervous enough to play a young fool. However, something about the look of the man bothered him.

"Keeper!" whispered the Kai Lord before the man left. "I...I might mistake that gesture. Could you ask him to take a drink from his cup? Twice in quick succession?"

Sun Snake did not know where that impulse truly came from, and hoped nerves would cover the odd request - in the mind of both the innkeeper and the hooked man.

OOC: Well, let's see how this goes, shall we. :) I just assumed the innkeeper could be summoned and sopken to like this, let me know if I have to retcon something different!

The innkeeper looked quizzicaly at Sun Snake, though the Kai could see small beads of sweat covered the man's brow.

"I ain't goin' near that man. He's bad business, he is young 'un, I can tell."

The innkeeper said, his voice shaking slightly. Raising up a hand he rubbed his thumb and forefinger together and added:

"Though were ye to give me some gold, it may help loosen me tongue so I can speak to him."

When Sun Snake mentioned the drinks the innkeeper leaned forward and whispered, "He's not touched his drink all day. He's just been sitting here, waiting for something, or someone. It be unnatural, I tell ye. Unnatural."

Sun Snake felt two emotions almost instantly at the man's initial words. The first emotion was fear. The innkeeper was verifying what Sun Snake had felt. Sun Snake was new enough to perilous missions to not know exactly how his Sixth Sense really worked. Had he expected Kai's voice to tell him, in no uncertain terms, that something was wrong?

Sun Snake realised he needed to keep his fears in check, for in these less black and white times, his disciplines required his attention. Sun Snake hated the simplicity of the wilds, and yet there his Kai instincts were always sharpest. If he hoped to actually find use for himself in civilised places, he needed to civilise himself and grow up.

The second thing Sun Snake felt was disappointment. Upon hearing the innkeeper's starting words, he thought he might have an ally. However, this was not Sommlerlund. Apparently a man's fears and common sense could be alleviated for simple coin.

Sun Snake was silent for perhaps too long, especially when given the further shivers by the innkeeper's comment on the hook nosed man not touching his drink. What was in it? Was the simply page supposed to be offered that drink, and then meet a fatal end?

Or could the man across the room simply not drink?

It was a strange thought, and Sun Snake buried it deep realising he needed to act swiftly.

"Of, of course, I have taken up a seat and not bought anything," said the young man, luckily his own nerves being understandable if he were really the page.

"Please, name your price for the..uh...drink. Although I ...uh..I might not have time to get it from you, if this goes...well."

Sun Snake was very carefully to keep his cloak about him, which made fishing for coin difficult. He ensured he withdrew two extra coins for the stable boy from his belt pouch and kept them tight in his fist. The Kai Lord suspected that outside, there would not be much time to prepare anything. He wanted the stable boy to remain true to his word with any held that might be provided.

OOC: As long as it's not ridiculous, Sun Snake will pay the coins then look for a reaction.

Why can't the knights be outside again? :)

The innkeeper quickly took the coins from Sun Snake's fist and nodded at the young Kai lord.

"I can give ye a drink once I am done talking to him."

Moving around the bar he made his way towards the cowled man, and began speaking in low whispers. The cowled man did not turn his head yet remained stiffly sitting where he was. He gave no indication whether he agreed with what the innkeeper was saying or not.

Then, as the innkeeper finsihed speaking and returned back towards the bar, the cowled man raised his cup slowly, turning his head to stare coldly at Sun Snake.

OC: Deduct three gold coins.

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:44, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

Sun Snake again felt the chill. At the look, and the fact the man had not drank. Had the innkeeper not done as requested? Or had the man simply ignored it?

It felt wrong. Sun Snake stood up uncertainly, playing upon his own nerves, while having to ensure they did not come out so much he accidentally revealed the sword at his hip or his features under his cloak.

He gave a broad nod to the man at the table, then made a show of embarrassment and quickly moved to the door.

The moment Sun Snake left the inn, he turned his nerves into energy. He moved swiftly on the wings of his discplines towards the stable boy and his horse, as quick and quietly as if they were his prey.

"You can ride a horse, yes?" asked Sun Snake, dropping his accent as he grabbed his shield from the horse's back. He took the two gold crowns he had set aside, and pulled out an extra one, tossing all three to the lad.

"One more crown for you if you use my horse and ride as fast as you can back down this road. You'll encounter a troop of mounted knights within half an hour, I hope. Tell them the Kai Lord has found the murderer of the prince, and they need to get back as fast as they can. The King may well reward you for your part in this if you get to them in time. You may even find your name spoken in the stories of this day!"

Sun Snake again moved back to the door on the swift wings of his disciplines. He parted his cloak and eased the fine blade from its scabbard, shield in the other hand. He took up position where the door would swing around, hoping to take his foe by surprise. The Kai Lord felt the weight of his shield in his off hand, and the balance of the jewelled sword in his good hand. He murmered a quiet prayer to Kai to guide both, and the mind behind them.

Sun Snake found a comfort in the lack of thought that now came. Thinking meant he had to imagine the consequences of drawing a blade on a powerful foe to apprehend him, with back-up - even urged on - still too far away to matter.

Instead Sun Snake concentrated on the coming moment as if waiting for a rabbit, trusted to his reflexes honed under Hunting classes to strike true, and stretched forth his Sixth Sense to detect the man's prescence. Perhaps one sure blow would make the man consider his mortality. Perhaps one sure blow would lead the man to surrender and divulge what he knew.

Sun Snake had to work hard to stop alternate thoughts from forming.

OOC: That's all assuming the lad can ride a horse, of course! Anyway, try to surprise the Helg... man coming out, and if that doesn't work out too well, hopefully an opponent with bloodlust can be made to chase the Kai Lord for an hour until help arrives!

The stableboy's eyes bugged out at Sun Snake's words, but he obeyed nonetheless. Snatching the coins from the air he dropped his rake, jumped up onto the Kai's horse and sped away as if Naar himself was behind him.

Sun Snake quickly armed himself and took up position behind the door. If his suspicions about the cowled man were correct, he would need to act quickly.

The door opened and the man stepped out, eyes unblinking and staring at the retreating form of the stableboy on his horse...

OOC: Ok he hasn't seen you yet. Make your move whatever it is. Also, in your next post give me your modified COMBAT SKILL, including the bonus from your shield.

Sun Snake tensed up as his foe came out. Striking an unarmed man should be an action below a noble warrior such as a Kai. However, Sun Sname recognised the great evil of this man.

Had there been a simple person at his meeting then Sun Snake would have approached this differently, but this was no innocent. This was no complex man, his simple choices for evil had been obvious even to a corruptable innkeeper. This man was no unwilling nor lowly pawn in the crimes done this day.

Sun Snake did not doubt the power of his foe nor the seriousness of the situation. Sun Snake knew he was severely out of his depth. A simple page had managed to injury the Kai Lord, and the wound - even with the healing he had managed to apply to it afterwards - was still present under his bandage as a reminder of the young man's mortality.

Sun Snake ensured he was already striking his blow - aimed at the arm he recalled the man used to lift the cup - before he cried out words of challenge. Hopefully the yell would be loud enough to be heard inside.

"In the name of the King, surrender for your treacherous crime this day!"

OOC: Combat Skill is 14 with the sword and shield. Luckily, I actually rolled a 0(10) for this first combat round! Hopefully Kai will forgive the unannounced attack.

Sun Snake tensed as the strange man came outside, then struck with all the force of his body behind the blow! His sword cut clean through the man's arm, severing it from its elbow. The man cried out in shock, and yet, no blood spurted from the wound. Turning around he faced Sun Snake with a look of rage across his face.

"Now you die foolish boy!"

He hissed.

A startling transformation started to take over him then. His face appeared to melt away leaving only a grinning skull, with blazing pinpoints of light for eyes. The flesh covering his other arm withered away to reveal a bony appendage, which the creature, the Helghast, raised and wrapped around Sun Snakes throat. Its touch burned the Kai like nothing he had ever felt before and slowly he could feel his life slipping away...

Sun Snake: -2ep

Combatants  Endurance
Helghast:   13
Sun Snake:  30

This message was last edited by the GM at 21:59, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

The moment of shock wore off, in a way. Sun Snake thought he had committed some foul act slicing the man's arm off, and yet when he realised the horrific truth, he wished he had aimed for the head.

Kai had sent him the innkeeper's words, and his own senses, to warn his disciple of the danger. He should have trusted in Kai.

Sun Snake knew he was outmatched, and yet acted on instinct as the secondary horror overwhelmed his rational thoughts. He just felt like a trapped animal. All he could think of was to break the hold this thing had on him by aiming a blow at its other arm. His Kai given gifts already wanted to spring him far away from here, engage in a game of cat and mouse - even though it would be the wrong way around. Running free from this thing... from the terrifying pain in his neck...

OOC: Ok, gamble time - if the Helghast seems that wounded, and has his arm wrapped around Sun Snake's neck, perhaps trying ot evade wouldn't be the best idea. Although that was the original plan if it was a Helghast! Let's try another attack, fingers crossed for a good wound to intimidate it to let go - then perhaps run!

Still, CS 14 is pretty poor - I'm hoping not to risk an instant kill here! Might need to investiogate my own death with a new character!

Edit: Rolled a 1. Oh dear :(

Sun Snake attempted a blow at the creature's arm but the strike had little strength behind it. The Kai was running short on air and the burning touch of the Helghast was beginning to severly weaken him.

The Helghast sensed this and grinned rictusly, tightening its grip even further.

"You are no ordinary mortal, this I can sense.But whatever you are it will avail you naught! Now die!" It said with relish.

Sun Snake: -12 end

Combatants  Endurance
Helghast:   12
Sun Snake:  18

Sun Snake knew he was going to die. He had not thought things through. Then again, how was he supposed to know this creature was going to be the one he met? Only luck in the gift of the King, and paranoia in his actions with the thing and the stable boy had given him any chance...

Would the Helghast realise how lucky Sun Snake was?

He tried to laugh, despite the panic rising. He clung to his plan like a small plank of wood in a storm.

"You...are ordinary...darkspawn. No...imagination. No...paranoia. Gladly sacrifice life...to spring the...trap..."

Sun Snake hoped with his panicking mind his words were false. That the Helghast, which dealt in lies and deception, would be very susceptible in turn and have the imagination to question Sun Snake's easy discovery of it and viscious wounding of it earlier.

Sun Snake gave one final panicking manoeuver to slice at the creature's other arm before he blacked out. Perhaps he could make it admit something if he could just injure it badly enough, taunting it with lies about the King's knowledge to force it to reveal greater secrets. And perhaps that could make it flee. He just needed to be freed, and then he just needed to hope his luck that had kept him alive would hold to see this abomination defeated.

OOC: Ok, this one will be an evade, if such a thing is possible. If it is, then use hunting/sixth sense combination to keep out of its reach (luring it away fro mthe main part of the inn to round the back). And if things get really bad, then use hunting/tracking/camouflage combo to try and evade it until it gives up in fear. I can hope, right? :D

Anyway, roll - damn rolled a 9! Can we swap those last two rolls? Anyway, ignore damage to it, in the hopes of breaking free or being more convincing on the bluff if evasion is impossible.

EDIT: Altered above to reflect lack of evasion...not sure I want to drop damage for the chance at bluffing!

The eyes of the Helghast dimmed as doubt appeared to flood them at Sun Snake's words. It loosened its hold on Sun Snake's neck for a moment and asked:

"Trap? What trap young fool? Speak!"

The Kai Lord used that moment to strike, his blow cutting through most of the Helghast's bony arm! The creature threw back its head and howled in rage. For a moment appeared to be very vulnerable, one good blow would surely seal its doom...

Combatants  Endurance
Helghast:   03
Sun Snake:  18

"The trap where a Kai Lord ends the plot of your masters dead by murdering you with a weapon of the King! Your plan is surely foiled!"

Sun Snake allowed himself a moment's pause, as it turned out in hubris. He'd managed to trick the pausing and had wounded it terribly. A second ago Sun Snake was fighting for his life. Now, Sun Snake fought against every instinct to end this thing's life. Just one moment longer to let the creature betray the next stage of the plan of its masters, before he ended its life.

Of course, his instincts were Kai given, and Sun Snake realised a split second later that he had made a terrible mistake not killing the thing dead when he had the chance.

OOC: Ouch, just rolled a 2. I doubt I get 3 damage there, which means Sun Snake and the Helghast will be down to the wire here... not a good position when even a good hit loses 2EP!

This message was last edited by the player at 22:23, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

The Helghast tightened its grip again and all uncertainty fled its hellish eyes.

"It matters not, pup, whther you are Kai or not. Soon your life will be over and victory will be mine."

Sun Snake gathered his last reserves and slashed out again. His blow struck true but there was little force behind it.

Sun Snake: -10ep

Combatants  Endurance
Helghast:   01
Sun Snake:  08

Sun Snake cursed, then cried out in agony as much as his choked voice would allow. His delay had cost him his chance at destroying this creature, and he had not gained a scrap of information in return. Apparently, darkspawn were above the hubris of Kai Lords, and this Kai Lord felt his strength drain with his pride.

Still, it made the path clear. Sun Snake had gathered no useful intelligence that required him alive. Before his young mind could fully grasp the implications, his instincts lunged at the creature to ensure that his death would aslo see the death of the spawn, gripping on tightly to the thing's arm and actually pulling it towards him while thrusting with his sword.

OOC: Darn, too much to hope a Helghast would be all 'haha, you fool, we have three more Helghast placed if I should fall!' And of course, Sun Snake needs to live passed the combat round to tell anyone!

Fingers crossed, let's see what is rolled... a 6! Holy crap...I'm hoping that's enough to still be in the land of the living!

Dark spots filled his vision now, and Sun Snake gathered together his remaining reserves into one final lunge at his foe. His sword pierced the Helghast's skull, exiting the other side and the foul creature immediately released its grip upon the young Kai Lord and fell to the ground in a heap. It struggled, trying to move but then lay still, the light fading from its eyes until there was only darkness left.

Sun Snake swayed as blood rushed back into his head, and the darkness in front of his eyes began to clear. He still felt weak however, and his throat burned from the Helghast's infernal touch.

Sun Snake:-6 endurance

Sun Snake collapsed to his knees as the reality of the conflict caught up with him. He slowly realised that he hadn't made peace with his fate, and that he was both ashamed to be crying and greatly relieved for his life.

He muttered an incoherent thanks to Kai, and took a moment to savour his new life....

And then the adreniline started to fade and the huge pain of his neck wounds plagued him. He pushed himself up off the ground with the point of his sword, then cursed himself for using such a magnificent weapon as a glorifed walking stick. He looked to the blade, needing repeated attempts to wipe his eyes before he could focus on it. He quickly wiped the grim and ash from it, and then sheathed it with a nod.

He needed a moment to stand against the wall, and gingerly tried to touch his neck. However, it was too sore and he soon stopped. He did not want to look in a mirror right now.

He forced himself upright, straightened his cloak, then checked his eyes were dry as became a Kai Lord. He took a deep breath, feeling the agony of it, and then opened the inn door.

"Infamy!" he tried to cry, though it came out hoarse. "Innkeeper!"

The Kai Lord gestured to the man.

"I am an agent of the king, and the horror that scared you so was nothing less than a spawn of the Darklands! You are closed this day! Attend my wounds, and think well on all the spawn said to you and what it did. Knights of the king already ride here, and the king will wish to know every detail. He may well reward you handsomely. Certainly it is your duty to keep your lands safe by sharing this knowledge."

Sun Snake collapsed into one of the chairs of the table he had been on before. His legs felt weak, and speaking out loud had aggrivated his throat to the point he feared he would black out.

OOC: Yeah! Sun Snake survived! Who says a CS 10 Kai Lord is doomed? You know, as long as the GM can cripple anything he fights first, and as long as he gets some luck!

The innkeeper, who had witnessed the fight from a window hurried over to Sun Snake with a pitcher of cool water in hand.

"Take this, my lord," he said in a quavering voice, his hands shaking as he put the pitcher on the table in front of the Kai. The other two patrons in the inn were staring at Sun Snake wide eyed, and whispering excitedly among themselves.

Sun Snake sat in his chair for a while, feeling the pain ease from his throat and felt vigor return to his body. Suddenly the sound of horns was heard in the distance. Intriuged, the Kai and the others in the inn crowded around the doorway and saw a company of knights coming towards the inn.

Sun Snake nodded his thanks to the keeper. For a moment the Kai Lord simply allowed his eyes to close and bis body to rest. He wondered if he was managing to gain the power of Healing as he felt his wounds ease. Then again, the body was a wonderous thing even before Kai blessed it.

Internally Sun Snake was relieved when he heard the horns. However, he felt a curious pride. He was not going to be found exhausted and resting when the knights dismounted.

"Innkeeper, whatever wages or succour you give your stableboy should be doubled. Those knights were a great distance from here, and he appears to have brought them to us in record time."

Sun Snake gingerly stood, straightened himself out as best he could, used some water to wash his face and hands quickly, and then went back outside to meet the agents of the king.

He ensured he stood with his hand on the pommel of his sword, bopdy straight and firm, despite the wobble in his legs and the palpitations he felt in his chest when he looked to the area the Helghast had once stood.

Sun Snake was startled to realise he had half expected the creature to leap out at him whenhe re-opened the door.

"Hail!" yelled the Kai Lord, waving his hand to the approaching group of knights.

OOC: Even if Sun Snake is shaken, he's certainly going to act every inch the hero for the knights. Flying the flag for Sommlerlund!

This message was last edited by the player at 22:36, Sun 22 Jan 2012.

One of the knight's slowly trotted over towards Sun Snake, the dimming light glinting off his plate and mail.

"Greetings Kai Lord." He said in a gruff voice, the sound echoing out through his helm. "Did you manage to apprehend the assassin's employer?"

The knight glanced down at the remains of the Helghast, which were by now simply ash and bits of bone, but did not deign to remark upon them.

The Kai Lord gave suitably formal greeting to the knight in return before answering.

"The assassin's employer was none other than a Helghast, a fell agent of the Darklands. Only the gift of your king saved me from becoming a victim to it, for it is immune to normal weapons," said Sun Snake, allowing his neck to show.

"I did try to delay in its destruction, goading it that we knew more than we did. Unfortunately its bloodlust was greater than its need to gloat. It almost proved a fatal mistake and I was forced to end its life with no more knowledge of its greater plans."

Sun Snake had been contimplating the next move already.

"A Helghast can be anyone. It may well have imitated more than this hooked nosed man. The king might well check for staff in his home or of his trusted advisors who now do not return to work."

Another thought occurred to the Kai Lord.

"The Helghast could well have simply taken on the appearance of a page this day. There must have been a reason it decided to commit such a foul deed at one step removed, relying on human greed instead of its own skills."

Sun Snake still felt too proud to ask to sit down, nor ask for medical aid. At least the innkeeper and the others had observed the fight. Sun Snake did not wish to have the knights question his word on this matter. It sounded too far fetched, and perhaps in this area of the world they saw the Sommlending obsession with the Darklands and its machinations as something of a joke. Sun Snake prayed his actions this day might allow them to keep thinking that if so.

OOC: Hmm, so were the Darklords trying to set up another country to create turmoil, or worse yet was the page actually another Helghast that has now murdered its way out of prison?

The knight nodded at Sun Snake as the Kai finished recounting his tale and gave his advice.

"Truly, it sounds like an epic battle, against a foe most treacherous. Would that I would have the chance to do the same one day. Come then, it is time you returned to Feravan and reported to the king."

Realizing his work here was done, Sun Snake joined the knights and together they trotted back down the road and started on their way back towards Feravan. It was late night by the time they arrived. Sun Snake was shown immediately to the guest quarters, where he was told by a page that the king would see him in the morning, and that he had ordered the Kai to get some rest until then.

Now that Sun Snake was back in a guest room, it was easy for the day's events to seem like a strange daydream. Only the vicious wounds on his neck reminded the Kai Lord how close he came to death.

It was not a comforting thought, and so he happily found distraction in once again taking quill to parchment in an effort to straighten out his thoughts.

This time, the encounter itself held no real details, and he was left writing many questions he had no answers to.

Why would the Darklands target this place, and why now? Why remove the prince? Or was Sun Snake looking at things the wrong way around - had someone more mundane wished the prince dead? If so, had the Darklands merely been in the right place at the right time to secure a foothold by offering their aid?

With too many thoughts, Sun Snake decided to take advantage of the accomodation and get a decent night's sleep.

Some odd lingering doubt - that this place was not secure from the influence of the Darklands - made Sun Snake take a precaution. He balanced his sword against the door, hoping if someone tried to open the door stealthily the sword would be puhed into the floor and jam the door. And hopefully it was a set up that could be written off as the sword slipping from rest elsewhere if a page came for him in the morning.

Sun Snake tried to laugh off his paranoia, but then recalled that such paranoid thoughts had saved his life this day.

He settled in bed, getting himself comfortable, but found his Sixth Sense kept stretching out, and his sleep was light as his Hunting instincts kicked in.

OOC: Just because you are paranoid doens't mean they aren't out to get you! Anyway, see how that goes. Roll a Test incase anything happens durign the evening - rolled a 5.

Oh, and would there be any healing items available like Laumspur or even a physician to tend to Sun Snake's wounds if he asked? That might be an idea before bed!

At Sun Snakes request a physician came to see him before he slipped off to sleep. The wizened old man bandaged the Kai's throat, and provided him with a bitter herbal elixir to drink. Thereafter the Kai Lord drifted off to sleep.

The next morning arrived and Sun Snake awoke, feeling refreshed and ready for the new day. He had only finished washing himself when there was a knock at his door and a page stuck his head in (causing the sword propped up against the door to fall in the process) and announced that the king was ready to see him now.

Restore 3 endurance.

Sun Snake was embarrassed he'd slep so soundly in the end, but was glad to feel a little better in the light of a new day.

He nodded his thanks to the call of the page, and got to work quickly dressing himself suitably. With chagrin he picked up the noble sword gifted to him by the king, and proudly sheathed it.

Checking himself and making sure he was presentable for the king once more, Sun Snake indicated to the page he was ready to go.

The page led Sun Snake through the large corridors of Castle Whiterock towards the throne room. Two guards opened the large double doors leading inside and Sun Snake walked across the plush red carpet towards the throne, where king Maric sat awaiting him.

"Noble young Kai, you have done well." The King began.

"My knights told me of your battle with the evil creature, and how you emerged victorious, nearly at the cost of your own life. For that, you have my eternal thanks. It appears this evil plan was hatched in the Darklands, to rob me of my heir and to cause tension in this region by putting the blame of the assassination on another nation. Thanks to your heroic actions however, the true perpetrators are now known and we will remain at peace with our  neighbours."

"I am as my masters trained me, your majesty," says Sun Snake, bowing. "The Order of the Kai, and the Sommlending people, always stand ready to give our aid and lives in the service of defeating the evil of the Darklands."

Sun Snake hopes his words are correct for the occasion, but secretly feels great pride that he has managed to give such a great victory to the forces of good. He hopes his masters will be proud, and the name of the Kai will be spoken of with fondness from now on in this region.

OOC: The king isn't going ot become an Helghast, right? I've won, right? :D

The king nodded and smiled sadly at Sun Snake's words.

"Would that Magnamund had no need of your order's services, but this day all of Illion has come to realize how real the threat of the Darklands is."

King Maric rose and stepped down from the dias, coming to stand in front of Sun Snake. Raising a hand he put it on the young Kai's shoulder and said,

"Know that you and your brethren will always be welcome in Illion. Together we will stand strong against the tide of evil that threatens all upon Magnamund. Come now, tonight there will be a feast to honor your victory, and tommorow you can return to your homeland in truimph and with honor, carrying the frendship of Illion with you."

And with that, Sun Snake was dismissed. The feast later that night was filled with much revelery yet also tinged with sadness at the passing of king Maric's son. Sun Snake regaled his audience with the tale of his battle with the darkspawn, and they listened rapt with attention.

The next day the Kai set out back towards Sommerlund with the blessing of all the court of Feravan with him, and also carried a letter for the grandmaster of his order, a letter that had in it words of praise and an offer of an alliance with Feravan. Thus did Sun Snake uphold his duties and bring honor upon the Kai.

OOC: GAME OVER. (you can feel free to make a closing post however) :)

Sun Snake is proud to return home after a simple mission, with such a positive result to show for it. The mental and physical scars of his battle with the Helghast are enough to ensure the Kai Lord will now devote himself more to the lessons of the Order.

Sun Snake's jewelled Sword is not by his side on the return trip. He asked the king if the king would retain it for Sun Snake. It would be a reminder that justice had been done for the king, and something that could be gifted to any Kai that came to Illion to aid them in whatever mission they attempted.

And of course, if the king sent the sword as a message, Sun Snake himself would return to wield it once more for the king.

OOC: Hah, and thus a CS 10 Kai Lord, with some GM intervetion, did not die :D

This message was last edited by the player at 19:47, Mon 23 Jan 2012.