ROLEPLAY HQ - in-umbra-veritas

Lancelot was woken up in the early morning by one of his subordinates, who informed him that his Majesty requests his presence. To Lancelot this was to be expected, he had to always be ready to receive new orders... which he already could tell would be. "Alright, I'll be there in a quarter of a hour." Lancelot said in a painful voice. Last night his body seemed to be torn apart by the dark energy getting closer and closer to him. However he did his best to repel all negative thoughts with only one thing in his mind, loyalty to his Majesty. However as he was waking up, he began to think about what he has been doing in the name of his Majesty. Everything up to this point seemed to be not what he was placing his oath to. When he first placed his oath. It was to defend the country, pledge the alliance to all the people who were defenceless ...however what he has been doing so far was only hurting the weak.

14:39

His thoughts were interrupted by a soldier who walked past Sir Lancelot and asked him if he's alright "Yes, thank you! I should get ready to see his Majesty!" Lancelot stood up and went up to his Majesty where he quickly got instructions that went as follows King:"Sir Lancelot! We need more funds for our campaign! The village of Trialora hasn't been paying any taxes for over a month. That means we need to collect the funds ourselves. Go and make sure it's done accordingly!" Before Lancelot could say anything, other guards approached him and guided him outside from his majesty's room. "Sigh... I couldn't say even a single word." Lancelot looked at the soldiers who looked up to him with hopeful gazes, however Lancelot couldn't say anything that would bring hope to their eyes. "We are heading to Trialora." Said Lancelot with a sigh. One of the soldiers protested that the village had recently been plundered by bandits and pirates, that this is a madness. Lancelot tried to calm the soldier down, but before he could do anything, his majesty's right hand came out from the corner. Right Hand Man: "Having difficulties maintaining order Sir Lancelot? Perhaps I should accompany you personally to see that this mission is done accordingly! We shall burn down the village and execute anyone who dares to oppose the law!" This made all guards feel dread passing down their spines. However nobody wanted to do anything about it, fearing the harsh penalties that could happen. "Men, we depart in a hour! Be prepared." Said Lancelot feeling defeated. After all he cannot defy the king.

Melisande walked down the streets of Trialora. They were creepily deserted. Most were recovering from the recent attacks. The only menfolk left in the town were either old, children, or badly injured. The women, some had been taken to some unknown, horrible fate. There were many kids without parents, left to fend for themselves. As if the attacks weren’t enough, a bad case of the Great Heat was spreading. An illness accompanied by a fever so high most didn’t survive without medicine. The entire town has shut down to deal with the attacks. Cleaning out the dead, burying loved ones, figuring out how to cope. Today, Melisande was heading for the town center where a giant kitchen had been set up to cook for the whole town. People who had food to spare brought it to be cooked for those who’d lost everything. Melisande was a cook. She waved to those she passed and pulled her long, pale blonde hair up into a high ponytail to keep it out of the way of her work. “Hello, Martha!” She greeted as she stepped up to the makeshift kitchen and started chopping vegetables to add to the soup already on the fire. “Brace yourself, girl. Four more cases of the Great Heat this morning.” Martha said in reply. Melisande paused. “Four?! That makes almost fifty! When is the courier coming back from the capital with medicine and supplies?” “It’s not. A traveler came into the inn last night. Passed Harry on the road, dead and stripped of everything. Even his clothes where gone…” Melisande felt her mouth hanging open. No medicine or anything to help them recover? It seemed the town was doomed. She glanced toward the gathering crowd. “Pack up some baskets of food so I can take something to the hurt and sick. At least that’s something helpful.” Melisande watched Martha nod in agreement and both women set to work in silence, praying for a miracle to aid their home.

@Drakonchik

The man were lined up in 3 columns. Spaced out exactly the size of another column between them, giving place for 2 extra ones. Lancelot didn't think of this order much, until the right hand man arrived with two more columns of men who took places in between. The right hand man approached Sir Lancelot and asked in his rather unlikable tone. "I hope you do remember that this is a really important mission. His majesty has began to question your loyalty ever since your failure at the last mission. You know what I am referring to. You ordered your men to let go the children. This was a direct violation of his majesty's order to execute anyone who tried to run away." Sir Lancelot just sighed and looked at his men, who were looking up to Sir Lancelot with uncertainty in their eyes. After all if Sir Lancelot was to be declared a traitor, every man in his regiment would be instantly proclaimed to be a traitor as well. It was not only about Sir Lancelot but also about his men, who's lives were at the line. He couldn't bear such cross and hoped that something would intervene from outside, that his Majesty would actually reconsider and instead change the plans. "Mister Rowan! I want to have one final word of this morning with his Majesty." To which the right hand man just smirked and replied "Go ahead! His Majesty is in his chambers as always"

13:15

"...." Lancelot dismounted his horse and walked through the second and third column. From one side he saw gazes of the man of the Right hand man, Rowan, who were all staring with malice in their eyes, some people even being excited as someone was heard saying that he was excited knowing that a lot of single woman over there are in need of warming up these days, while from the other side his personal knights looked at him with a sorrowful gazes. All the men uncertain about their future and the futures of their families. One of the more braver knights blocked the path of Sir Lancelot and just looked right into the eyes of his commander, knowing far well that such actions can lead him into the trouble of being disciplined. The knight did nothing only intervened the path and looked at Lancelot with a gaze that told more than a hundred words. All Lancelot could do was place his arm on the soldier's shoulder and nod back, giving him the signal that both know what is happening and are understanding it far too well. "Is something the matter Sir Lancelot? Can't keep an order among your men?" Asked Rowan as he mockingly gazed over Lancelot "No mister. This man is a honourable man who saved my life in an old battle. I promised him an award. I thank him for reminding that."

13:15

Rowan just mockingly repeated the words and made his personal knights laugh at such foolish knight. But Lancelot just walked past the soldier and went to see His Majesty. As Lancelot entered the castle keep, the knights of Rowan were loud and ready for the action. While Lancelot's men were standing still, awaiting the dreadful orders. At the Majesty's chambers, Lancelot stepped a few steps in the direction of his majesty, but before he could say a word, his Majesty already responded "I know what you are trying to say, forget it. My orders are clear and perfect. I know what I have asked to do. Don't even dare to fail today's mission, otherwise I will see all your men executed with their wives and children. You know what that means!" Lancelot couldn't say even a single word again. All he did was accept the defeat and return to his men. As Lancelot returned to the troops, he saw the Right Hand man Rowan laughing at what had just occurred. Lancelot just walked past him and mounted his horse. "Men, we are moving out!"

13:16

As Lancelot was moving with his men to the village, Lord Rowan was heading alongside Lancelot and casually asked him a question "When did you become a dark knight? I am just interested how long before you become useless to his majesty." Ah yes, the curse of dark knight. It's said that after twenty five years of service as dark knight, one becomes one with darkness and becomes a demonic creature. "This will be my fourteenth year of service." Sir Lancelot replied quickly to draw away the conversation. He didn't like the tone of Rowan. Rowan:"I see... Well then, I believe that this is the village of Trialora. Prepare your men, we are walking in and declaring the sanction at the city square." Sir Lancelot just looked up in the sky and then waved at his men signalling that nobody does anything except walk straight to the city square. After 10 minutes they arrived and noticed the chaos that has been unfolding here. And the poor woman who were making dinner for the village. Sir Lancelot couldn't believe his eyes that this place is where he has to commit the next big atrocities.

@Hikikomori

Visiting those injured or sick was heartbreaking. A few of the injured men died in the night and Melisande held the wives and children as they wept. One woman in particular just could not seem to catch a break. Heavily pregnant, husband dead, and all three of her other children had the Great Heat. By the time her deliveries were done, Melisande was exhausted , physically and emotionally. But there were more who needed to be fed. Martha was taking a break and Mel was watching the large group of kids gathered to play. Some just gathered around the young cook to listen to her stories and singing. There was a scream that shattered the peace. A small group of the bandits that had attacked came galloping through the town, dragging a string of the stolen women and children behind them. All were bruised and battered with half their skin scraped away from being dragged along like dolls. The bandits dismounted. “These slaves got the sickness. Ye’s tryin’ ya poison us! Maybe we should take them not sick…” The leader said, his eyes locked on Melisande who stood with all the kids hiding behind her. “Get back on your horse and get out of here. The whole town is sick. Go on, shoo!” Mel shook a rag at them like she would at a pesky animal. But, of course, they still advanced.

14:00

“But ye owes us compensation fer them rotten goods there. Come on pretty lady, we’ll be gentle….” The leader grabbed her by the arm and Melisande’s free hand yanked a hot, caste iron frying pan right off the fire she’d been cooking at and hit him hard with it. He let go of her to bellow in pain and Melisande grabbed the big pot of boiling soup and poured it on him before kicking him back. Apparently they weren’t used to women defending themselves and decided to leave. Melisande did a quick head count of the kids and then hurried to help the returned women and children. Only two were still alive, but barely. “The army is coming! The king sent help! We’re saved!” A cry rang out, bringing people out of their houses to watch the soldiers march into town. Some cheered, others wept their relief as the men stopped at the town square a woman fell to the right hands feet and thanked him for coming. “My lord, my little Greta is so sick. Please… please help her…” She begged with tears pouring down her cheeks. Melisande stared at the men, the looks on their faces, the numbers. Her stomach twisted. “My lords, we have nothing to give to his majesty. We’ve been pillaged by not only pirated, but bandits as well. All our menfolk are dead or dying and the Great Heat has struck us as well.” She called. “We have nothing.” She spotted the pregnant woman wandering to see the men, Hope in her eyes, but the way the woman was walking, Mel knew she was in pain and she went to her to calm her.

@Drakonchik

Sir Lancelot was standing and looking at all the hopeful eyes. He couldn't believe what he had arrived to do, at one moment he wanted to order his men to turn around, but as he was turning his horse, he was met with the eyes of Lord Rowan. Rowan:"Here's the order, Sir Lancelot! Read it loud and clear to every villager here!" Lancelot with a grieve expression took the parchment and turned back to the villagers and began to read the inscription. "Villagers of the Trialora! His Majesty orders that all the provisions, such as grain, rice or any other means of food to be gathered at the village centre for being transported back to his Majesty. This includes to all the provisions prepared for the winter, such as salted meat, and most importantly any collection of salt! The provisions include any monetary items, such as gold, silver and any other stones of value. Everything has to be gathered here at once." Lancelot took a deep breath and could see the sorrow in the woman's eyes, but he also could feel the stare from the Lord Rowan who was calmly awaiting when Lancelot would finish reading the order. "His Majesty also requires that all men, from the age of fifteen and older are to be gathered for the military service. Any boy who is found attempting to flee the recruitment, are to be executed on the spot. And finally....."

14:28

As Lancelot saw what was written over there. His already pale face became so pale that he couldn't mutter any word. Lord Rowan understood that Lancelot cannot read the message so he took the order and read it instead. Rowan: "All woman and children who are suspected to be conducting the Heat sickness are to be executed to prevent the spread and the widowed woman are to provide their partnership to the single soldiers!" As soon as Rowan finished reading the order he looked at Lancelot with a stare and smirk "You'll regret defying the direct order of reading this note. We'll deal with you later. Men! If the villagers don't obey, you know that you are allowed to use force!" The soldiers of Rowan instantly spread out and began to look for any food or woman. At that moment one of the soldiers eyed the pregnant woman who was coming to see the soldiers in hopes and as soon as order was given, he jumped at her and pulled her to the corner, stripping her chest and punching her stomach whilst saying wicked words "Let's free that belly for another one!" Lancelot's men were standing still just waiting for a direct order of Sir Lancelot as he was staring at the horror before his eyes. He couldn't believe that it was happening so easily. How the methods went so wile. Sir Rowan was approaching the centre and looked over the ladies who were over there.

14:28

Rowan:"What's the matter, don't you know how to serve your country? Sir Lancelot. What is the punishment for disobedience, and let's say... an attempted assault of an official officer? No less a Lord." Lancelot: "It's... best to be decided by someone who has authority over it." Lancelot just stared down his horse, being uncertain about what is happening. His men standing there, waiting patiently as Rowan's men were already on a rampage and gathering to the centre a few bags of food, as woman were begging them to leave something for their children. But in response they only got laughs.

@Hikikomori

Melisande watched the horror being carried out. The village, already suffered so much the anguish was like one long scream. She snatched at the older kids. “Take whoever you can to the temple. Tell the priest what’s happening and that I said to open the tunnels. Leave the sick. Go!” She watched them scatter and then moved to the poor pregnant woman and the man hitting her. “Hey!” She called out to him. When he turned around, she snapped him in the eyes with her rag. While he howled his pain, she helped the pregnant woman and sent her with the children to the temples. Then she glanced around to see what she could do to buy more time. The started knocking over the few barrels of oil they had left for cooking, hoping some splashed on soldiers. She removed her dress to stand in her bloomers and corset and held it over the fire. Then gave a loud, piercing whistle that got every man’s attention. “The fool king should know better than to attack this town! The birthplace of the gods! He has betrayed not only his people, but the gods themselves! The curses that fall on pirates and bandits you plunder here will be nothing compared to the curse the king has brought on himself and all who serve him. Hear the cries of those who have devoted their lives to the service of their king. When they cry out for help, he sends his dogs to kick us when we’re down! Death to the greedy king! Pain to the traitorous tyrant! Suffering to those who follow his commands!”

15:11

Her speech bought time and when she was done, she caught her dress on fire and dropped the flame in the oil. Then she vanished as the fire spread in a flash. She raced toward the temples and when she reached them she was greeted by the head priest. “Those who came are being led through the tunnels as we speak. But one of the women is in labor. She’s not doing well and she’s asking for you. Hurry, as soon as she’s given birth we’ll take her and the child through the tunnels and collapse them behind us.” Melisande gave a nod and rushed inside. When she arrived at the main sanctuary to the temple, the baby was born and screaming. Another, lay dead and the mother was weeping her pain. “Helen, I’m here.” Melisande said. There was so much blood from the birth that she knew her friend wasn’t going to survive. The priestesses all confirmed her suspicions with sorrowful looks. “Meli, can you take my daughter? I want you to raise her…. Please…” The request shattered her heart, but Mel nodded. “Of course. I’ll take care of her, my friend. Be with your husband and children. In peace…” Her voice cracked. She watched her friend take one last breath and then the woman was gone. Melisande stood and took the baby from the priestess. The girl was bundled up and calmed down. Good because they didn’t want the soldiers following them through the tunnels. She hurried to the secret entrance and entered the maze that would lead them well out of town. Only the high priests and priestesses knew the way. And Mel, who grew up in the temple.

@Drakonchik

Rowan: "Well now you can see what happens when you hesitate. Everyone most likely are headed down in the underground passage... Hmm.. how do we deal with them. I believe best course of action shall be to break the dam and flood the cave system." As Lancelot heard the proposal, he watched as the Rowan's men prepared themselves to act on the plan. "You can't be serious. This is madness!" Cried Lancelot as he drew his sword. He had seen enough. He couldn't stand for it anymore. "Listen to me soldiers of the Shadow Battalion. These woman and children are the families of brave men like you. They only had the misfortune to be in such bad state. Think what your wives would think if they found out." A few soldiers drew their weapons and added to Lancelot that they indeed believe that enough is enough! This caused a skirmish between the Sir Lancelot's men and Rowan's men. The battle was quick and swift, most Rowan's men were defeated but some had already went to the dam to flood the cave system. "Lancelot, you won't get away with this!" Said Rowan as he escaped the skirmish and headed back to the castle keep. Lancelot quickly ordered his men to return to their families and bring them to safety, wherever they thought to see it fit. While Lancelot single handily headed to stop the flooding of the cave system.

15:31

Lancelot felt a relief as he finally did it, defied his majesty, but now he was most worried about the families of all soldiers. He only hoped that they all were to be safe.... Lancelot was rushing to the dam and noticed that the soldiers already had managed to free a small portion of it, making a small fraction of water flood in, but thanks to his powerful dark sword art, he managed to efficiently defeat the remaining soldiers. Now all he had to do was to prevent further damage, and wait for the villagers to safely exit the cave. He only hoped that they are safe. The Dame was about to fall apart, as such, Lancelot used his body strength to push it back together, doing his best to not let the water go. All he did was pray that the villagers come to exit as soon as he can. (After your people exit the system, after about a hourish) As Melisande was coming out from the cave with others. They would be greeted by the sight of Lancelot desperately preventing the dam of failing and many more soldiers of personal Lancelot's guards together with their families rushing to aid their commander. As it turns out they all managed to save their families in time, and bring the news that all of them are exiled from the kingdom.

@Hikikomori

The villagers exited the caves, the tunnels collapsed behind them. But they screamed and panicked at the sight of the king’s soldiers. Most fled, except for those too tired to run. Melisande was with the smallest children and looked up at all the ruckus. She looked at the soldiers and the breaking dam. “Everyone get out of the way of the water!” She called and led the little ones out of the way with the baby crying in her arms. In moments there was no one in the way and Melisande handed the baby to one of the women to wander toward the dam and those around it. “Don’t tell me my speech worked.” She called from a safe distance. She watched the men and families warily. “There is no one in the path of that water except corpses.” She told them. Then she returned to the children and women and lifted her new daughter in her arms and got them all moving. They would go to the forest not far from the town to rest. @Drakonchik

"Men, I order you all to guide your families with them and guard the villagers. Whatever you do, don't betray the trust to the family bonds, and those who do not have a family, don't let your animalistic instinct run wild." Lancelot said as he finally let the dam go and to hold himself in place, he thrust the sword, the dark blade of Manifestation, into the ground. "If fate has it, then I shall survive this." Lancelot said as he was engulfed by the water from the breaking dam. Holding tight on his sword. The soldiers looked at Sir Lancelot in shook as he was lost in the water, while their families pushed them to the forest, the children being the fastest to reach the escaping villagers, asking them to wait up and saying that their dads want to help not hurt. The soldiers knew their position and were all keeping their distance, looking over the horizon to see if they were safe, while at the same time asking if Sir Lancelot had returned yet. "Dark knights don't die so easily, one does not just drown. I am sure he's still in that water, just resting..." Said one soldier while another one stepped forward and was less optimistic. "I am going to see if Sir Lancelot is alive." Those were the words of the very same knight who had before stopped Sir Lancelot back in the castle keep. "Is anyone going to come with me?" Deafening silence engulfed the soldiers

@Hikikomori

Melisande had just gotten the villagers settled when the soldiers and their families arrived. She convinced the others to ignore them and just rest after the situation was explained to them. She had one of the lactating mothers feed her new baby and wandered to check on everyone. She overheard the soldiers’ families worrying about their leader. At first, she didn’t pay it any mind. Until she had the whole story from a very talkative man. When the request for volunteers to go look for the knight sounded, she stood and stepped past the man. “You’re asking an awful lot for people you just came to attack. I’ll help you, only because he’s polluting the River of the Gods.” She didn’t wait to see if he or anyone else followed as she walked back toward the destroyed dam. @Drakonchik

The brave soldier and two others were feeling a bit upset at this attitude, but they didn't want to cause any more chaos, as such they just took in the insult and returned to the dam where Sir Lancelot was last seen. "Umm Mis..... eh just look out men for any chance is Lord Rowan's scouts are nearby" In the meantime, Sir Lancelot was holding his breath and meditating beneath the river. To him many voices came to his head, telling him a lot about how his path only leads to death and destruction. And how this brave act is just the first step in the right decision. This was best seen by the actions of the river, which would seemingly only barely touch Lancelot, but instead now flow around him, just gently splashing his armour, cleansing his wounds.

@Hikikomori

Melisande frowned at the man who spoke. “If this Rowan and his men are stupid enough to try and attack us again…. He’s going to be facing a lot of pissed off women who were just shown one cruelty too many.” She replied. “They attacked the defenseless on the doorstep of the Gods. And this river is sacred and that forest is said to be haunted.” She breathed a sigh. As she approached the river by the dam, she noticed it acting strange and took a seat in the grass. “Speaking of Gods. Looks like your boss is at the mercy of one. I hope he is judged harshly.” She stated as she hugged her cold shoulders with a shiver. She was still only in her underthings and the temperature was dropping for the evening. @Drakonchik

Despite a few purification attempts, Lancelot was not cleansed of the dark knight spell. The river would chant as if saying, it's not the time yet, before washing him at the shoreline. The soldiers quickly ran up Sir Lancelot who was partially in the water, and partially out, as one soldier placed his leg in the river, he noticed how boiling hot the water was, yet Lancelot felt nothing. They pulled him off the shore and prepared their capes to dry Lancelot. "No need...." Said Lancelot with a bit of a tired expression Those capes are in need of the poor woman, who need some blankets. Lancelot said as he tried to stand up, holding onto his sword and noticed the knights who were with him, and as well the girl. "You must be... that brave girl from the village...."

@Hikikomori

Melisande stood up as the river ejected the knight. She dusted herself off and stretched her arms over her head. “I shouldn’t have had to be brave.” She pointed out. “You’re not dead so I’ll at least thank you for finally growing a pair and helping my people.” She turned around and headed back toward the forest. She was greeted with a string of questions from everyone. Where would they live now? How would they survive? Would the soldiers attack? What would they do about food and shelter? Melisande tried to answer, but some things she didn’t know herself. @Drakonchik

Sir Lancelot with a calm gesture asked his men to guide him to where the rest were located. "This forest where we are heading is a well known place for his Majesty's troops. If you all think that you are going to be safe here... it's a terrible mistake. I think the villagers have no other place to go. Do you have any suggestions my men." As the knights were following Sir Lancelot. They were thinking about any possible places where everyone could be safe and fed. "Well I have one idea..." Sir Lancelot noticed that it was the very same soldier who stood in front of him, but never had asked his name "What's your name Son?" To which the soldier responded

"Private Antyris!" Replied the young soldier. "I am sorry if I sound stupid... but there's this old ruins which are said to be surrounded by monsters... well I just thought if we can take a hold of the lowest levels of the ruins, it would be a safe place from his Majesty troops..."

"That... solves the safety... but not the food And most importantly, would the villagers agree to something so dangerous."

Melisande calmed her people. “I don’t have all the answers now, but I will. For now, rest…. The children without parents, please gather under the big tree. If anyone is injured or starting to feel sick got over there to be tended to. And the rest of you, try to stay calm and rest.” She said. She went to the sock and injured first, most of the priestesses already working there was a young man in that group who was staring blankly at the ground. She approached him. “Yes… Sam, right? You okay?” She asked him softly. The lad shook his head slowly. “A soldier hit me on the head because me and my brother would join the army. They killed him and hit me in the back of my head to knock me out.” He sniffed. I woke up with my friends carrying me in the tunnels. Only I can’t see.” The boy started to cry. Melisande sat beside him and rubbed his back. “I’m so sorry, Sam… But for now we’re safe from this soldiers and we’re going to figure out how to be safe for good.” There was a bit of an uproar as the knight and his men returned. Melisande calmed everyone down and approached the men. “It would be best if you all kept your distance for now.” She called.

"Your wish shall be our command milady!" Those were the calm words of Lancelot who just sat down on the nearby tree and laid back to look at the stars. He commanded his men that were free and not in direct need to attend their families to sit around and create a perimeter to make sure that everyone was safe. Their safety was right now the number one priority for Lancelot. As he had laid down, he was thinking about what to do now. Where to keep everyone safe and what is going to happen now. He was clueless and lost. All he has been fighting for was not seemingly lost to him. A few hours passed and Lancelot fell asleep. He was sleeping sound and peacefully letting his guard drop and at that moment he was at the mercy of the world. All in his mind was empty. The guards were seeing nobody and the families of the soldiers tried to get more familiar with the families of the village to create some kind of trust.

@Hikikomori

Melisande returned to her people and everyone started to settle down and get some sleep. Melisande was checking on everyone when Sam sat up. “What’s that sound?” She furrowed her brow and listened. The sound of footsteps could be heard if she strained. They didn’t sound normal and then it hit her. “Sam, wake everyone up and tell them to stay quiet.” She ordered then she snuck her way over to the soldiers and the knight up the tree Melisande tossed a rock up at the man. “Hey! Get up. We’ve got trouble.” I called in a loud whisper. “That dam you destroyed kept the monsters contained on an island. Now the Basilisk lizards are loose and coming. We have to get out of here now. They’re blind, but can smell and hear us so stay quiet. And don’t let it bite you.” @Drakonchik

"I understand. I'll go and do what I must." Lancelot emitted a light signal that would gather all the soldiers around him, giving specific orders on how to form a square formation, called Kare. "Milady, please tell everyone to stay inside the square formation and slowly stand the guard. I'll guide away the lizards." Lancelot mounted his horse and prepared his equipment looking at his men who were looking with a worried look.

"Sir Lancelot, please let me accompany you on this quest. I have a fear that you might do something stupid."

"sigh... alright. Just be ready quickly, we only have 3 horses so mount the other one and be ready in two minutes. I think we are really low on time. Men prepare the square as soon as you can around the people. Protect them against any lizard that might get past us."

@Hikikomori

Melisande listened and shook her head. “Have either of you fought a Basilisk before? Cause taking horses is a colossally bad idea.” She said. “Unless you’re wanting to commit suicide. I’ll go with you. My people can use the horses to move the injured and slow.” She said. She too off her shoes and anything else that would make noise. Then she wrote a note. “Here, have someone give this to the head priest. He’ll help your people as long as they don’t do anything suspicious.” She tied her hair up and then moved silently toward the sound of approaching footsteps.

@Drakonchik

"Alrighty, she knows what's best anyway. Make sure everyone's safe. I'll go with the girl and see what can be done."

"Yes Sir!" Antyris dismounted his horse and took Lancelot's horse with him to attend the villagers, in case anyone needs some help.

As Lancelot was left alone with Melisande, he sighed and said to her "This all is my fault. If I wasn't such a coward, maybe a lot more could have been prevented. Guess tonight I'll repay my sins." Lancelot took his sword and in silent steps followed Melisande trying to observe what was going on around. He couldn't see the danger that she was seeing. Even at some point questioning if this is some kind of clever trap by her. "Before anything happens to me, please take this token. If you show my men this token, they will know that you are their new leader." Lancelot said as he handed over Lancelot's Token.

@Hikikomori

Melisande took the token and tucked it into a pocket in her corset. Then led the way. She stayed close to the knight as she crept silently toward the footsteps. “Basilisks are blind. They find their prey by sound and smell. There’s a pond over here that has awful smelling mud. We’ll cover ourselves in it.” She said softly. She found the pond and it really did stink. A mixture of sulfur and the plants growing around it gave off the odor of a rotting carcass or eggs. Melisande made a face at the stench as she gathered her hair up and twisted it into a bun and put an old cap over it. She didn’t hesitate in stepping into the muck and grabbing handfuls of it to stress it over her clothes. “They hunt in packs. The big ones are easy to avoid, but it’s the little ones that are trouble. If you look them in the eye you’ll be hypnotized and vulnerable to a bite. Males turn you to stone and females have a venom.” She said. “Best way to kill them is to get them to bite each other. The biggest ones are the breeding pair and so if we don’t kill those, they’ll just make more.” She took a breath. “Personally, I think we should just buy our people time to get away. Let the Basilisks be a curse on the king. Serves him right….” She stated bitterly. @Drakonchik

Lancelot was following what Melisande was doing at the current moment, hiding her scent in this horrifying stench. That was not something that would feel pleasing. He watched as his last men left with everyone else to escort the villagers away. He looked back one last time before heading to what he took as the suicide mission. Lancelot was a little bit hesitant at the fact that he would have to drench himself in this stink, however after taking a deep breath, he stepped his leg into the pond. The water of the pond was flowing through the rivets of his armour and the air gaps, designed for the mobility. The cold water was hitting fast, making him regret this choice of listening to the girl's advice. "This feels embarrassing, drenching in this pond to hide myself from the enemy... reminds me of my old days when I was just a boy, in my training of becoming a knight. I was assigned to be the cleaner for the communal cesspool. You know those places where knights went to do their natural business... Well I had to clean that cesspool by hand. I had to gather the shit by hand into a bucket, and after dispose of it in a huge hole... After the hole was covered with dried barks and branches and lit on fire. Everything I had to do by myself... I still remember how I was stinking for days afterwards."

12:37

Lancelot said as he dived head inside the pond and held his breath for ten seconds. After the time he raised his head above the water. The feeling of this icy cold water from the pond made him shiver. The water going behind his back, all the way down through every possible open space in the armour, carrying with it a lot of dirt and even a small frog, which was now stuck on his left side, just above his legs. Lancelot could feel the small thing with it's slimy hands touching his side. "You know... your words got me thinking, I would agree with that sentiment of leaving this mess to His Majesty to deal with.. if it wasn't for one small detail. That will never be an affect directly to those who are corrupt at the top floors. More innocent villager lives will be at stake, as they will be sent in masses to be disposed. If we don't deal with these creatures by ourselves, then people like those who just now, as we are speaking, are running and hiding in the forest, will be in danger. I want to redeem myself, and for that one alone I don't want to have more innocent lives lost." Lancelot stood up on his feet and exited the pond, covered in muck and grass that got stuck on his armour. The cold evening breeze ran past them, making the knight shiver in the cold a little bit. This was nothing compared to what was about to come. He extended his hand to Meli as he said to her "I shall be then your sword to deal with the monsters."

@Hikikomori

Melisande planted her hands on her hips. “Oh, so now you care about the innocent lives of us common folk. Splendid! Couldn’t find your conscience before killing my best friend and her young ‘uns? No, you had to wait until after she was beaten, died giving birth to her new baby, and a handful of my people were left.” She scolded. She took a few breaths to calm down. Now was not the time to get emotional. “Leave the sword. It won’t cut them. Their scales are like steel armor.” She said. She ignored the hand out to help her and got out of the pond on her own. The she set her focus on the task at hand. She could hear the reptilian creatures and the hairs on her arms stood up when the shriek of the queen could be heard demanding food. The high pitched sound would have many a seasoned knight soiling himself. Movement at the corner of her eye had her freezing with her eyes shut tight. The warm breath on her face and the brief flicker of a tongue had her heart hammering, but the mud did the trick and the basilisk moved on with a gagging noise. @Drakonchik

Lancelot didn't take well those words about just standing there and watching the onslaught. He hated the fact that he hesitated. It was the most shameful thing that he might have had done. If only he had acted just a bit earlier. Maybe then nothing of this horror would have had happened. "You are right... I should have had acted earlier." Lancelot unsheathed his sword and looked at it, considering the words about how this weapon would be useless to him, yet it was the only weapon that he had and dropping or abandoning it is a sin of a knight to the thing that saves and takes lives... It was always a matter of perspective. As Lancelot was looking at the sword, he noticed that Melisande was stuck in place and seemingly holing her breath. He didn't know what was the reasoning for it. As he was going to ask her what was the reason, he felt an ominous wind from behind him, that had a noise that he couldn't describe himself. He slowly turned his head to the side to see what was that thing, and there he saw the being, the proclaimed Basilisk that was moving besides him, Lancelot was preparing himself to fight the being. Lancelot slowly turned around and examined the area. His hand was shaking at the sword handle, him being ready to do whatever it takes to kill these beasts. His heartbeat was racing fast as he was taking heavy breaths, ready to jump at the beast and redeem his name, in whatever way it would be. @Hikikomori

((@Hikikomori It seems your partner has left the server. Would you like us to archive this RP?))

💚Slytherin Shay💚

((@Hikikomori It seems your partner has left the server. Would you like us to archive this RP?))

I guess so