IC Scene - Smoke on the Horizon...

Sir Vinson would attempt to enter the chambers to collect Lucius.

If allowed he would speak quietly but with a disgruntled tone. "Past time, Knight-brother. We should be off immediately."

Lord Chamberlain Harold merely smiled at the knight's responses and bickering. He waited until they finished before speaking again. "One can never be too careful in times such as these. Trust is no vice; blind trust is foolishness. My apologies for the interruption Duchess." He dipped slightly in what resembled a bow before backing away. He didn't stop smiling.

The Duchess straigtened again. "Very well. I believe we can all agree on the need for action. As I was saying before, the offer of aid from your orders is accepted." The captain of the guard re-entered the room at that moment. "Ah, excellent. Captain Jorm, escort the remaining knights back to their detachments then lead them into the city. Inform them of what they need to know of the commoners so they are prepared for what they might face.

"Oh, and do me a favor and keep the Clarion Call out." She turned and strode out of the main hall.

"At once, my lady!" Captain Jorm bowed, though she was nearly through the door. "This way, gentleme--"

"A moment if you would, Captain!" Harold was shuffling forward at a surprisingly quick rate towards the captain. The soldier obliged him and bent his ear to the old man. Hushed whispers passed from the latter to the former then they pulled apart. The Lord Chamberlain smiled at the knights as he passed by again and disappeared into the room from which he came.

The captain waved towards the exit and led them back down to the road. Night was falling swiftly since the knights had been led through the gates. The sun was no longer over the horizon. It was merely a fiery glow at its edge, vibrant oranges and reds burning through the sky and reflecting off of the sea. Unfortunately, the growing darkness also revealed greater trouble in the city. From the high vantage point of the castle, the city seemed to be flaring into a starry sky reflecting the one above...were it not obscured. If the lit torches were stars, however, the burning buildings were moons. The glow of a half dozen fires, near and far, could be seen against the darkness, the flames licking up through pillars of smoke that vanished into the darkening sky.

Jorm started to speak over his shoulder. "Knight-brother...Lucius, was it? You should stay with us. The church is easy to reach and, with the help of the other knights, you're more likely to reach it." He started to project his voice a little more towards the rest of the knights. "You should gather your men. I understand it is late and the march has been long, however, the rebels do not know your full strength yet. I believe we can regain control the area around the church if we strike quickly. Please, meet me at the bottom of the stairs when your troops are ready and I can lead you to where we need to go."

Voices started to drift up to the knights from below. As the group made it down to the road, Sir Vinson could be seen asking a guard to be admitted into the castle.

[OOC: Gather up and wrap up. I want to create a new thread tomorrow evening (you know, keep thing organized).]

Knight-Brother Lucius followed the Captain out of the Duke's Castle with little fuss, bemused by the antics of the old man. He kept quiet, however, as he was eager to move forward with the Dawn's mission.

The scene unfolding in the city as night fell was certainly something to behold—according to Lucius—and he was saddened when Captain Jorm interrupted his gazing. "If you think that is wise," he replied, though he honestly wasn't that thrilled by the prospect of being around the other Orders.

When the Captain finished addressing all of them, Lucius headed in the direction of Knight-Brother Vinson, knowing that he would require an update. After that he intended to address his men and take care of the horses before returning to Jorm once again.

As Alatin headed towards the gate of the Castle he turned to Aelos

"Let us gather our men, we make defensive preparations tonight. Rebels like nothing better than to strike in the night."

Gilaver walked over to his detachment near the walls, and found himself very pleased when he noticed that Klaus' detachment had joined them. He hadn't expected the man to reach Windholm until tomorrow. That meant Klaus must have put his troops into true work, at least if the demeanour of the Greatswords was anything to go by.

"Men, we are moving to Windholm! Disassemble the camp. Now, where is Captain Witz?"

Morek marched out of the city towards his men, his face back to its usual small friendly grin. He headed towards the small camp his men had set up who were finishing their meal of stew and hard bread.

Alright men, we have been allowed access to the city! On your feet and lets get to it shall w-......... Loren, what is that smell?

The named Knight looked up and offered him a small clay pot. Just a Mettenheim medicinal secret for preventing blisters on the march. Doesn't smell great, but then again neither do our feet.

Morek took the small pot and stuck the cork back in the top as tight as it would go. ....... Fair enough. Anyways, get up and pack up. Where did you get this anyways? He asked as the Conquistadors, Radiant Crosses and Plaguewardens got to their feet and began gathering their gear.

From one of the griffons in return for seeing to one of his mens injuries.

Aelos frowned when the chamberlain returned with swift whispers. He had his doubts about this revolt and what exactly caused it, because the proud people of Ravenstern wouldn't lose themselves like these people did. Here at the sea, where trade is always booming and some hints of Ravenstern culture could be found among the citizens as a reminder that once before the unification wars they had taken it from the Fierdsvain with the kierguards and Dragons turning the wind around in a glorious battle.

Whatever the reason, the lions were here to protect the nobles and probably to fight off the poor while doing so. Someone had to protect them, right?

Silence was all the answer Aelos had for himself, following in the footsteps of Thane Alatin on their way back to the main gate. He was suddenly very aware of Icebreath dangling at his side and an uneasy feeling creeped over him as he watched the torches and fires below. Fire was never good for plated knights and almost always meant death for a lot of smallfolk. His commander didn't seem to care much as he simply ordered for him to gather all the knights and prepare to enter the city in it's current state.

"Karstan!" he called, and it was answered by a Dragon's roar that triggered the proud knights from Ravenstern to come to their side. Faceplates on and showing the proper restraint, they had their shield at the ready and where waiting for the Thane's signal when Aelos spoke;

"We must hurry and find this people's militia. William, what do ye say?"

Rayvs bowed his head, then turned and left the castle, following the guard to his remaining knights.

He then turned to Jorm, and asked, "Are we allowed to send out a small search party? Time is of the essence, and every minute may be a minute closer to his death."

Mattus was pleases with the result but as well he didn't expect anything less. As they reached their men again they immediately got up on their feet and prepared themselves.

"We leave the horses at the stables inside and then I want you all to make your way deeper into the City, if you see some beggars give them something and ask them if they saw our friend, I hope everyone of you still knows who we are searching. Don't get into any trouble and we meet back at the stables at midnight."

Mattus men nodded and prepared everything, there was nothin more he had to say to them, they knew what they had to do.

He then turned to Morek.

"I think your men are best suited to heal the wounded. Mine will look through the taverns and we meet back at midnight near the stables. I think we should wait until tomorrow to advance deeper into the city, it is dark and we don't know the streets as good as them."


OOC: I am right now in Austria and the hotel charges 28 euros per day for wi-fi, so there wont be much posting until monday from me. After Morek answers I make my way towards the harbor district.

William to had been thinking some of the thoughts Aelos thought, he tried to brush it out of his mind. He could not, these people were not so far removed from us, they were one of us at one point. Do we not even owe them that respect? He brushed past the fires, no, no he must support the nobility and that was final. He looked at an old burnt out tavern, its name still visible on the sign, "The Crowned Dragon". An old Ravenstern establishment, now there was a reason, if even one man from Ravenstern was within this city, dead or alive, their allegiance lay in HIM. At that moment Aelos said his question. The powerful Thane replied

"Aye! The peoples militia! We must go quickly and quietly so as not to alert the duchesses guards, or frighten the peoples militia"

William had already begun to move not waiting for a response, a determined look in his eye told the men he would not be stopped.

"Here mijn captain" Klaus said, rising from his work with a whetstone., naked blade in hand.

"Can we go into town now? And if so, what are our orders?" he asked, while around him his men began to stow their belongings away, and to kick out the embers of the fire.

Morek listened to what his fellow Radiant Cross had to say before nodding.

Very well. My men and I will do what we can. Just tell your men to come find us if they run into any trouble and we'll come running.

He then turned to his men that were gathering behind him, his horse held by Loren, the Knight who had acqired the fouls smelling pot. We'll put our three horses in the stables as well, this isn't the place for charging about on a seven hundred pound beast. He noticed his Barlayans looking displeased at being separated from their heavy chargers. No, don't give me that look you know its true.

Our assignment is to aid the wounded of the city as of now and keep them safe. I give you permission to use what force you have to to defend yourselves and our soon-to-be charges.

Sir Vinson was in private discussion with Lucius at length before they left together to collect their men that waited outside of the city. With the permission of the guard he would bring his Wyverns and a detachment of two of his knights to reclaim the church and plan accordingly for their next action while his men prepared.

"With my scout's report and news, we have to assume the Church is cut off. I believe it best to strike at night and on foot. We need mobility in this terrain over speed. My footmen know how to handle this situation should it come to it."

"Good to see you here Klaus. We have not received any orders thus far, and our information of the situation is somewhat lacking as of now. However, Her Grace doesn't seem to mind us here. We can go to the town freely, and I would like to find a suitable base of operations. The captain has promised to give us information about the rebels."

Gilaver took a slight breath.

"Also, nearly every Order is represented here. I have taked with a Clarion Call Commander and we have agreed to cooperate here."

"It is great that you make it here safe too. I agree, we need a base. We could try and ask duchess for some house in the castle, or if you want in the city, we find someone loyal to the king and use their house... or a tavern" Klaus replied nodding, and looking around him at the other groups of knights, all making similar preparations to themselves.

"I have seen many other knights, and have spoken to Radiant Cross, they nice and offer help my men with their foots. Not good travel with no horses, I try to teach but it take time - and blisters. With medic help, we are ready for action now" he continued, gesturing at the men who were just now tightening straps on their packs and getting ready to move out. Klaus hesitated here, clearly eager to move on with their duties here but something was concerning him.

"In Mettenheim, we need house, we take house and pay owner while here. I not know Pendor manners for this, I follow you?"

"While asking the Duchess for a place would give us a secure locations, it carries some risks with it. Namely, our goings could be monitored, by Order of the Lion among others. However, it could be used to bolster the morale of soldiers loyal to the Duchess to see King's men among them."

Gilaver took a deep breath.

"I doubt many people would be willing to take anyone in with the city in flames, so we can't just go into any house. In Pendor, you tend to ask first before coming in. Now, we should hurry to meet the captain, we can ask him about a base."

When the older knight had finished speaking, Klaus nodded as the information soaked in. He then gestured for his companions to follow, and hurried after Gilaver to meet the captain.

Natir was waiting with his men for Seph to return but he never came. When the other knights had come back and left into the city, he took it was a sign that he should head inside as well. Call his men to get ready and he started towards the gates. A guard seeing him approach stopped him and said "Sorry sir, but the Clarrion Call have not been given permission to enter the city."
Natir was a little stunned but replied "My superior, Capain Seph, went in a while ago to negotiate our entrance to the city, has he not succeed in anything? To which the guard replied. "The Duchess has found the behavior of your superior questionable and insulting and so does not wish for your order's help in suppressing the rebellion."
Natir sighed not surprised his zealous anti-Jatu companion had ruined the Order's relation with the Duchess.
"I will respect the Duchess's decision, send her my appologizes. We will stay outside the walls tonight, but tell the Duchess Captain Natir would like to replace Seph as representative of the Clarion Call, and that I would like to meet with her tomorrow morning."

Calling his men back he moved back to his camp, and gave the order to set up camp for the night.

When no one noticed, a shadowy figure made it inside the town. It was Evedas. He's known Windholm well enough to get inside unnoticed.
-"I should track the the other Eventide knight and get some information first", with that said, he vanished into the streets of Windholm