The trail of destruction was easy enough to follow, and Jioni happened to be well ahead of anyone else who was following. Transportation and communication all too often were one and the same, which meant a message was only as fast as the fastest trained Mon, and even then, it would take an exceptional one to return to its master when sent to journey far. Most Mons would just get distracted in-route and accidentally break the control of the soul gems, ambivalent about their would-be masters concerns.

The blackguard was a fallen knight of Helvatia, and who is to say what drove him over the edge? Most who went this crazy forgot the oath, and thereby lost some of their danger as their blessings left them. Every now and then, though, they would rise up like the forgotten danger they often were and do...well, things like burning villages down for no reason other than to watch it happen.

Treasure would be despoiled or destroyed. Altars were desecrated, and both mortal and Mon alike were killed will equal dispassion.

And this particular one had gathered some friends with him. This was not going to be easy.

And so it was that Jioni found himself going into one of the many valleys that bordered the great lake of Helvatia...or Demosia, depending on which side you were on, but he wasn't on the Demosia side. It was surprisingly hot here, on this clear day by the lakeside, and even Scathach was uncomfortable. What was odd is that the trail clearly ended here, because the village of Trenly (recognizable by its sign) was noticeably intact.

The people were mostly working the common fields right now, alongside their Mons, making sure everything was working right. It was a child, running around with a Caterpie, that waved to Jioni. The rest in fields were glancing at him occasionally, and some with worried looks.

Jioni had taken the job with great haste, there wasn't much he wouldn't have done to have gotten himself out of Helvatia and out of hot water. He still didn't see any wrong in what he had done, but that was neither here nor there and it wasn't his worry to try and convince others of that.

It wasn't until he'd started trailing the target of his assignment that he realized what he'd gotten himself into. He knew he'd be able to handle it, but it wasn't any less disturbing. He was glad he had such a loyal companion by his side, the sleeping Honedge known as Scathách sheathed on his left.

She preferred to sleep when she wasn't actively needed, and he didn't mind letting her. She awoke when she was required to and she sometimes perked up just for her own designs and that was enough for him. They'd made good time thanks to good information and what helpful allies he had left in his homeland. Although he felt that many were helpful simply because they didn't want to have to take this assignment.

He had never met or come across a fallen Knight, and he'd be lying if he said he wasn't a little intimidated. He wasn't sure what to expect, honestly. The only thing he did know was that death and ruin were what laid in his wake and that that was the fate that lie in wait for him were he not careful.

He'd even heard that somehow this madman had managed to rally others to his side, and therein lie the real danger. He had no idea how many people or Pokemon would be with him, and the numbers may very well be what spell his doom. Despite that, Jioni only knew one thing. With all that had been destroyed because of this demon, he could do nothing but stamp him out. He was a Knight himself and he took his duties seriously. Maybe he could even bring his fallen brother back into the fold. If not, however, he would grant him peace in eternal sleep.

Upon arriving at Trenly, he couldn't help but be stricken by the warmer temperature. He was definitely near Demosia. Hopefully this quest would push into Demosia proper, he worried of the reach of the nobles even so deep into the outskirts of his home. Scathach make metallic grunts of discomfort as she tried to rest, but her eye remained closed.

The village seemed peaceful and calm, but he couldn't help feel as if something was amiss. The sidelong glances and looks contributed to that, but they might just be reacting with wariness at the presence of a Knight so far from the center of the Kingdom.

When approached by the child he smiled and waved back at them and the small Bug that accompanied them. It had been sometime since he had seen a child so carefree.

Still, he was curious about the odd tension he felt from the village. He wasn't the most intuitive or perceptive person, but even he knew something was off. Maybe if he spoke to enough villagers he could gain an answer.

15:40, Today: Jioni rolled 7 using 2d6 with rolls of 6,1. Perception Check.
15:39, Today: Jioni rolled 2 using 1d6 with rolls of 2. Intuition Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:55, Mon 25 Dec 2017.

The Honedge's eye opens irritable. Unable to sleep due to the tension that she feels from her Master. Her open eye scans the arc avalable to her from her sheath. Noting what occurs in her Master's blind spots.

OOC:
01:29, Today: Scathach rolled 5 using 2d6.  Perception Check.
01:29, Today: Scathach rolled 1 using 1d6.  Intuition Check.

Unfortunately she didn't really see anything that her master wasn't aware of.
In a quiet metallic voice that was somehow also feminine she says
"I can't help but notice that this place isn't on fire or pillaged. Do you think that the villain we are tracking really came through here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:54, Mon 25 Dec 2017.

He looks around for a moment, gauging the village and its inhabitants. He felt like he might've caught something but it wasn't substantive enough for him to go after.

He remained wary, but relaxed a bit. He spoke, quietly, to the now-awake sword strapped to him.

"I'm not sure, but it's our best lead so far. This is the first place on the trail that's been untouched so it stands to reason that he's somewhere nearby. He might not have reached this village yet, which is good. I'd prefer to stop him before he hurts anyone else."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:50, Mon 25 Dec 2017.

The sword simply declares in her metallic voice.

"We will catch him and stop him. With our will behind it, There can be no other outcome."

He nods resolutely and smiles down at the sword.

"You are right. I suppose I should question some of the townspeople."

He strides off in search of the nearest person who may be of help to him.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:07, Tue 09 Jan 2018.

As Jioni decided to approach, one of the workers in the field, a particularly large fellow, spoke to the taskmaster at the field. The taskmaster glanced at Jioni, and silently nodded. The large youth, who couldn't have been more than sixteen winters old, was fully one head taller than Jioni, and walked up to him with a tarnished Standard Gem in his left hand and a mattock in his right. It was fairly clear he was worried about Jioni.

He bowed respectfully all the same. "Excuse me, Sir? I am Albus, son of Manfred, and village champion. If it does not offend, what is a knight of the Kingdoms doing all the way out here, and without a standard?"

Jioni takes a moment to decide whether or not he wants to receive the younger manwith hostility or hospitality. He chooses the latter, smiling at the boy as he returned the bow.

"Hail and well met,Albus. I am Jioni, son of the Nafasis. I take no offense at your words at all, as protector of your people it is your duty to make sure none who come threaten your people. It is for this reason I am here. I am hunting a fallen one, and he has torn asunder many villages before yours. I wish to stop his rampage and so laid down all that would slow my progress, even my standard."

I'm guessing a Standard Gem is a Normal Gem?
23:35, Today: Jioni rolled 8 using 3d6 with rolls of 2,5,1.  for Charm.

"Hmm..." Albus gives Jioni a leery look. "Well, as you can see, the village is standing, so either you lost your man, or you overshot him. Or maybe we will all luck out, and he'll retire to a life of being one of those hermits who just challenges random people who walk by their houses in the deep woods to duels."

Albus had a moment where he wondered if he was getting too bold. "Err...maybe you want to be talking to the lord? Just go to the biggest building. He's not hard to find."

And with that as the standard, this looks like sound advice. The church here is a modest stone structure, while the landlord's house is a two floor wooden longhouse meant to store the whole village for a brief time.

Jioni listens attentively, nodding in agreement with the young man.

"It would be a nice sentiment, but naive to assume simply that because he has not yet come by he never will. For your all your sakes I hope he doesn't, but better still that I put an end to this myself."

He looked towards the large manor in the distance.

"Then that is where I shall next conduct my questioning. Good morrow Albus, I pray when next we meet it be under better circumstances. If you have Pokemon, we may spar one day."

With that, he left to look for the Lord of Trenly.

13:08, Today: Jioni rolled 6 using 2d6 ((3,3)) Perception Check.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:55, Sat 27 Jan 2018.