In reply to Jacob (msg # 235):

"A stranger, with weapons with friends, and an armed retainer, is in town the same time the Lady is poisoned.  Clearly a villain. Seize him."

She backs up, and the men with her spread out in a line, drawing their weapons.  Everyone else is scramblng for cover.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 236):

"I really don't have any idea what you're talking about, but if you want a fight, then so be it." I draw my blade.

And the fight is on.

A man swings a clumsy overhand attack at you, and you block it.  But when you lunge back, he beats it aside.  Some other clueless guy comes at Raive and he ducks it, and then nicks them on the arm just a bit.  And your other men draw their weapons, but no blows are exchanged  yet.

And then Sir Raive steps on a bit of spilled gravy, and he's down on the ground.

"Get them now!" Screams the Lady from behind her line of army soldiers.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 238):

"I don't think so," I snarl slashing at them.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 239):

You rip open a man's forearm, and they charge you.  Your blade goes into someone's gut, and a blade lays your head open, but its a glancing blow.  You stab the man back, and through his throat.  He falls.  Sir Raive and dthe others lay in, and the battle is fully on.

You have no idea who is going to win, but there are two men in front of you who are trying to kill you...

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 240):

I'm going to stab at the one that's closer to me.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 241):

You stab at the first guy, and in a panic he throws himself back, and falls, klonking his head on a heavy table edge.  He goes bonelessly to the ground.  But you have no time to pursue him as the second guy comes at you, and you slash at him, and he's just so slow that your blade parts his throat.

And then the battle is over.

Your side has won.

The Lady in charge of the other side is bolting out the front door.

+@2 to sword skill.  You are now a professional low grade swordsman.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 242):

How far way is the lady? Could I capture her?

In reply to Jacob (msg # 243):

Twenty feet.  But she's at teh doorway.  However, while you can capture her, she is going to be running for her life...so she might get away.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 244):

I'll run after her and try to bring her to the ground.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 245):

Rolling dice.  Good rolls for both GE and your attack.

You run after her, catching the door before it fully closes.  Outside is a wagon going down the street, and it gets in her way and slows her and distracts her so you are able to charge up behind her, and hit her with a hard blindside tackle that takes her down with her face in the mud.  She's struggling under you, but even with her armor, you heard the air go out of her lungs when you hit her.  Your right shoulder is sore from hitting the armor.  And her struggles don't seem to be doing that well.

The wagon driver continues on with a frightened look and  a clear determination not to be involved in anything.

Hard Tackle: May cause loss of wind and Stamina check on target.  Does potentially bone breaking damage. Fairly serious damage.  1@3.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 246):

"Stand down, and I will let you go." Even if she does stand down, I will tie her wrists together so she can't escape.

She surrenders, and you tie her wrists together.  Some others see this, but everyone quickly turns away.  You don't even have to explain or glare at anyone.  People are clearly frightened of something in this society.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 248):

I'll look for any more info I can while Sir Reeve sees her to the dungeon.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 249):

Sir Raive sets out and takes her to the town dungeon. (you are in an enemy country remember.  Sure you want to do this?).

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 250):

(I'm not totally sure, now.)

I will go with Raive to see her to the dungeon.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 251):

You take her to the city dungeon, and the two male guards outside look at you wide eyed.  A Lady with another guard comes out, and your prisoner shouts.

"He's the murderer of Lady Estail."

Weapons get drawn, but the Lady raises an eyebrow, and commands everyone to hold position.

"An odd thing to do for him to bring you to the dungeon, Lady Cilintra, if that is true."  She gives you a curious look.  And then studies Raeve.

"A northern knight, and an odd man, but not from the Matriarchy."

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 252):

"She was the one who had attacked first. I simply responded accordingly."

In reply to Jacob (msg # 253):

"You should have surrendered." Your prisoner says.
The other lady nods her head contemplatively.  "It is true. Its the Law."

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 254):

"Well, I'm not the type to surrender unless I have no other option." With that I'll leave with Raive and my other men.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 255):

You leave and make your way back to the inn.  The people there are surprised to see you, but happy as well.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 256):

Well, I guess I'll get a drink with them. If they want to celebrate I guess I will too.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 257):

The next morning you hear that the real murderess of Lady Estail has been caught trying to escape into the countryside last night.  From what people say, this is an expected part of politics in the Matriarchy.  Lots of poison and 'accidents' when there is a time of turmoil as in the time of the choosing of the new Great Lady.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 258):

Damn. I will alert any of my allies in the area to be alert for any information on who the real murderer is, and to keep an eye out for her.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 259):

One of your allies verifies that the real murderess has been caught, and passes on to you a question from the Lady you are sponsoring for the leadership of the Matriarchy.  She can come to you in  a week's time, she thinks, if you stay where you are, or you can go with your ally on a two day trip cross country to where she is.  Its up to you.  In any case, she 'extends warmest greetings to my noble ally from the Northern Swamps'.