Lance sees the scene and calls out to the driver to stop.

  Popping open the door, Lance springs out even before the royal carriage has come to a complete stop.

  "Here, here, now!  This just won't do on my uncle, King Random's road!  Good gentles, stay your hands immediately, and tell me what is going on!" He raises his voice to renn-faire performance level, and the tone is not quite chastising, but was clearly meant to be heard and obeyed.

  He approaches the group as he says it.

The men with sticks (oh, one of them's a woman) stop and look at Lance first. The man who's beating the other with a prosthetic leg is far too deep in his frenzy, and will need to be physically brought to attention--that much is clear. But the four with sticks look, at first, like they'd give Lance a jeer--then his words sink in and they look confused and then wary and then abashed. They all start to explain, but it's too much, Lance can't really tell what they're saying--they're talking over one another. And still, the central brawl seems to be going on...

Zavieta pokes a curious head out of the carriage.

  Stepping up, Lance grabs the leg in one hand, and the man who had been swinging it in the other and tries to hoist them both high and apart, separating them from each other and the person on the ground, this time letting his voice roar.

  "I...said....STOP!"


  Then, in a calmer voice he adds, "Now, you...tell me who you are and your side of the story." indicating first the person in the armor. "No one interrupt.  Then you, do the same." he says, indicating the person who was the recipient of the beating.  "Then I'll hear from each of the witnesses, one at a time, again without interruption."

(Go ahead and give me a Strength roll, Lance!)

16:54, Today: Lance rolled 12 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 6,5.  Lance, Strength roll.

  The strength of the royal family is a thing of legend, the thing that songs and tales speak of, and the beautiful Prince is a thing of pure inspiration as he grips the man and the leg and hoists them both high with ease and grace.

He very effectively manages to stop the madness. He also effectively silences the four stick-wielders. Even the donkey is pretty quiet, though it flicks its tail as though to say hi I am alive although I am lying down in this shade here among all these cabbages. The leg belongs to the cabbage vendor.

The man in raggedy armor explains how he was walking down the mountain minding his own business, though rather upset because he'd learned there'd been a thief in his stables, when the cabbage man flung donkey shit at him and called him unspeakable words, and so the lesson Lance stumbled upon. He seems rather sulky.

The cabbage vendor explains how he was guiding his beautiful precious donkey up the road when the man in raggedy armor (who the cabbage vendor does rather insult at this point, but everybody's spirits are high even if they're being respectful to Lance) tripped the cabbage vendor's donkey and said something awful about the cabbage vendor's wife.

The witnesses didn't see it begin. Also hey, there are only three witnesses now, it seems? What happened to the fourth?

  “Well, it seems as if you both were having an bad day of it, but here’s what we are going to do about it.  Driver, unhitch  your Donkey and get him up.  The rest of you, lend me a hand in uprighting the cart and collecting the cabbages.  Then everyone can go their separate ways without further insults, shit-throwing, stick poking, or beating each other....and we’ll wipe the slate clean, as it were.  I expect this argument to end here and now.  Everyone can then tell how they gallantly assisted Prince Lance in clearing the King’s road so that he wouldn’t be late for his luncheon date.”

  Lance flashes a kind smile.  <Blue>“Remember, we’re all Amberites, and the example we set affects all of reality, so it is up to us all to be good to each other.  Let us all be better, every day.”</Blue>

  With that he sets himself to the task of setting things to right so he can then be about his way.

The driver rather acidly points out he needs to tend to his leg, but other than that small hitch (eh? get it? get it?!), the small collection of unlike-minded individuals does go along with Lance's directions. They've heard about Prince Lance, and he has rather an air. Also, the lifting both men so easily thing.

The donkey is... resistant to standing but with Lance's help the beast will do so, and the cabbages (mostly) make it back into the cart, with many exclamations from the cabbage vendor about damaged leaves and bruised heads etc etc, while the man in raggedy armor rather glares at the cabbage vendor, although he seems like he'd like to get to pure indifference...

And then all is right. The three (remaining) witnesses with the sticks salute. The cabbage vendor thanks Lance profusely. The man in raggedy armor does not thank him, but nods. "With permission to continue on my way, milord..."

...And Lance is definitely going to be late to his luncheon, but not by too much, unless he lingers further.

  Lance nods to one and all,   “Carry on, good people, with my thanks for your assistance!  When next I see each of you, I’ll buy you a drink!”

  With that, Lance climbs back into the carriage and bids the driver to make careful haste.  He smiles at Zavieta.  “And that’s the kind of Prince and man I hope to be, in answer to the question from earlier in the morning.”

Two of the witnesses seem pretty pleased by this. The cabbage vendor modestly bows. The man in raggedy armor keeps a rather more neutral mien at this stage in time. One of the witnesses seems skeptical. The donkey placidly munches on a cabbage leaf.

...once Lance gives the go ahead, the royal carriage continues up the mountain. Zavieta smiles at Lance, eyes twinkling. "I thought he was going to try and wack you in the head with the leg; it was like something out of a puppet show!"

  Lance chuckles, "Had he done so, I'm sure it would have made a hollow sound indeed!". For emphasis he raps thrice on the side of his head, each time making a clucking noise with his tongue to accentuate it.  "I'm just glad I was able to get it resolved and get everyone back on their way.  I can just hear it now, the bards will be singing of Lancelot, Prince of Cabbages and Donkeys!"

  As they get closer to the castle, Lance appraises how closely the sun is to midday.  They may be a few minutes late, but not much more than that.  No doubt Cheryl would be waiting patiently.  The wait would be well worth it though, for Lance intended to take her to lunch, then shopping for a ballgown...perhaps a nice jewelry set to go with it.

  He thought to himself that his fortunes had changed for the better.  Once he had resigned himself that he and Ballad were not to be, he had met Cheryl...and if things didn't work out between them, he had little doubt that Zavieta would be quite happy to date him.  Who knew what the future would hold!  Perhaps by this time next year there would be something quite serious in the works...

It's true, Lance might feel his prospects are pretty bright, as far as dating around goes, if that's what he wishes. If he's thinking back, he knows he's been getting vibes from many a lass (and some lads).

Zavieta chuckles. "That would be a good name for a puppet prince!"

And so the conversation goes, all the way back to the stables. Once back at the castle--where are Lance's cousins keeping themselves on this day, anyway?--Zavieta curtsies and thanks Lance very much for his help.

She does seem cautiously optimistic about Gavriel's chances.

And so...

OOC: Back to your private thread for your noon appointment, Lance.

Day 10 - Pattern walk, before the Party
Jon waits just inside the garden's entrance.  He is dressed in his armor, much like the day he arrived, though he does not have his pack with him.
Jon's whole demeaner is nervous, you can practically see vibrating off of him as he paces.

He thinks to himself ~this is a big day, many things will change~ he then runs through a list of things he needs to accomplish ~Get the letter / decree making my mother the official ambassador to the Faewylds, double check that my room is locked, remember to be cordial to Lance, even though he doesn't like me nor forgiven me, the letter for Jade...~ *Sighs* he check his and the letter is tucked into his belt.

Jade Makes her way gracefully to the gardens. Her parasol resting on her shoulder as she spun it slightly. She strolled up seeing Jon pacing in the garden.

Smiling she approached, "Hello Jon, your looking very sharp." She walked around him in a wide circle before stopping before him.

"How are you feeling ?" Her green eyes shimmered as she looked at him.

Jon smiles seeing Jade, his body language is between alertness and nervousness.  He watches her as she circles him.

*chuckles* "Nothing special, just my basic travel armor." he nods "Well, I am definitely nervous.." He offers her his arm. "Would you walk with me for a few minutes" he asks formally.

Jade nods, "Certainly, hopefully I can help you steady your nerves."

She takes his arm and will walk with him.

"It's your big day, but your strong and healthy and hopefully well rested. You should have nothing to worry about."

Once she takes his arm, she can feel him relax slightly. As they Jon laughs at her comment about nothing to worry about and some more of the tension seems to leave his body, but remains silent and a bit pensive.

He has lead them a semi-private alcove in the garden with a bench. "Jade, I want to thank you. Without you I don't know that I be as comfortable here nor have the relationships I do with the others." He then turns to face her, he takes her hands and looks her in eyes.

"Jade, over the last 10 days, I have seen so many wonders and met so many amazing people.  The first and brightest of those is you." Jon smiles and it is reflected in his eyes "You are my anchor to Amber, more so that Ari, Ballad or Lance.  I have grown very fond of you.  I find that I look forward to our time together.  I feel safe and comfortable with you."

Jade tilts her head and smiles more, "I am glad that I can provide some comfort and stability for you. I thought Ballad would be the true welcome party for everyone. She is what Ariadne calls, cool."

She looks to him, "Your a comfort for me too. I was not at my best when we first met, I think we were all suffering wounds except for Ballad."

Jon gives her a big smile "You were, are great. You put me at ease that first day." and she can feel him tense a bit.

He looks around "Walking the pattern is dangerous, probably the most dangerous thing I've done.  I am..."

Jon takes a deep centering breath, Jade can see him relax a bit as some of the tension drains out of him.  He looks into her eyes, and he pauses.  Then in a low voice, "Back home, there is a tradition that when someone goes on a potentially dangerous mission or adventure, they would go to someone they care deeply about and ask for a kiss of good luck." blushes slightly and looks down.

"I have to admit, I've never had someone like that." he looks up and meets her eyes. "Jade, that is until now.  Until you..." he pauses, he tenses slightly, suddenly nervous. "Would you be my first kiss?  A kiss for good luck?  Something I can hang on too.." Jon's blush deepens and his eyes hold a myriad of emotions...

Jade feels the pull of tides and for a moment is silent.

Then she smiles, "How could I not give you a kiss for good luck, though trust me luck is not what you should be relying on." She laughs a bit.

She leans in and past his face to his ear and teases, "Besides you will have my parasol to hang on to." She then moves back looking at his face and brushing back some of his hair from it.

"Good luck to thee, Prince Jon." She gives him a chaste kiss her skin showing that Rebman blush.

Jon blushes harder as he feels her soft lips and for a moment everything except Jade disappears.  She is the focus of his world, every aspect of her in this moment is seared into his memory, the color of her blush, the beauty of her eyes, the perfect ribbons, the stunning dress, every last detail. Then the moment ends.

He closes his eyes and he gives a small contented smile. "Thank you.  This moment is something I shall treasure, no matter what may come."  He moves a hand up to caress her cheek as he opens his eyes and looks into her. "You have no idea how much this means."

"Now you just make me proud and walk the Pattern ! I don't just hand out good luck kisses." She teases.

"We should visit Ariadne, she has to be feeling nervous too. Your both family though and both proved your strong and enduring in all those training sessions we have been doing. If I could walk the Pattern, I know the both of you can."

Finally Jade ends with a more relaxed smile as the blush starts to lighten.

*nods* "I shall do all in my power to live up to your expectations, my Sea Princess." he lets go of her hands.

"As usual, you are correct.  We need to stop by to check in and pick up Ari.  And I need to get something from the court before I head down."

Jon offers her his arm, "May I escort, my Princess?"

Jade hooks her arm through his, "Of course, I am so excited for the both of you !" She smiles.

"I wish your mother could be here, I am sure she would love to see you accomplish such an incredible deed."

She prepares to stroll with him her face the restrained smiles and excitement she usually has for some of her own undertakings is there.

*Nods* accepts her arm and guides them out into castle.
"Ari first, then I can escort your both to the top of the stairs. at least."

They make for Ari's rooms