The Valiant

Clyde: <What do you mean by "Control" it? You plan to take it over?>

~Balias Tor~

<In a manner of speaking. I imagine a few of the traders may require...intimidation. But most can probably be bought.>
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~Fovoham~

*When Sorrel finally wakes up, everyone else has left. A slight fog sets in & it begins to rain.*

Sorrel sits up and sticks his hand out letting the rain fall against it. It was a long trip back but the brief respite from the fighting was welcomed in his mind.

Zac just chuckled, and shook his head.

--

Noctis turned onto her side, "They're Mortal's maids now too, have been for a while."

Mortal rubbed the back of her neck, "Its... alright. I'm sure she is fine... ish."

~Orbonne~

*Euryale moves to the bed beside the door.*

"I was so embarrassed, I think I asked her to say she fell down the stairs."
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~Sal Ghidos~

S"What's to plan? We just kick his door in, screaming something like 'we are the Evil Eye," & Firaga his head off."

R"Evil Eye?"

*Seraph shrugs.*

L"Well, for starters, we won't know where he is or will be. It would probably be best if we could lure him to ourselves."
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~Fovoham~

*It starts raining harder.*

Sorrel stands and move forward.

I guess my next step now is finding Ramza. If Dycedarg wanted that stone it means he's up to no good too. I have no allies anymore.

Noctis kind of just snickered, "You know, I think you'd handle a political scandal well. You're obviously good at lying on the spot."

--

"What, you want us to run around yelling, 'I'm Captain Basch' until the cavalry comes storming through?"

~Sal Ghidos~

R"Well, he IS looking to stroke his ego, & he IS saying there's a rebel army to be eradicated, so...."
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~Riovanes Castle~

*Sorrel's wandering brings him to a castle town. A dark-skinned man with brown hair shaved on the temples approaches him in the streets.*

???<Are you the Dark Knight who is searching for the heretic Ramza Beoulve?>
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~Orbonne~

"I can't help it, lying makes me nervous."

OOC: Next day timeskip coming soon. In the meantime:

Spoiler:

OOC: I knew that was coming and was prepared to argue why his faith shouldn't drop. Sorrel doesn't/hasn't ever believed in the church but still believes in the faith. Also unless his abilities run off of brave and not faith his faith dipping bellow 50 effectively cripples his effectiveness doesn't it?

"Depends on who's asking? Right now I'm the dark knight looking for an inn and a warm bed to sleep in for the next... day or so."

James: <But that's crazy! You can't do that!>

~Riovanes Castle~

???<Well, you won't find the heretic here. He made for Orbonne Monastary several days prior. I care not what you do at the inn. Just don't interfere with Duke Barrington's affairs. Just because Fovoham supports the White Lion, it doesn't mean its lord wants Dycedarg's dogs sniffing about.>
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~Balias Tor~

Gaffgarion<How is it at all different from the way things were before? Did you bat an eye at Ludovich's trafficking of illegal goods? Were you even aware of it? This world does not take pity on the ignorant, it merely uses them & discards them at its convenience. Remember that well if you choose not to join in my endeavor.>

Clyde: <I'm not interested in interfering, but are you really doing this all for money? There are plenty of ways to make a satisfactory living besides the plan you've cooked up.>

~Balias Tor~

<My dear boy, you don't live to my age by being complacent with a yesterday's "satisfactory living.">

"I'll leave the town after I rest. Do not worry."

Zac let out a small sigh, "Not that I'm not for going into fights heavily outnumbered, but perhaps there is a way to draw out the Baron without the cavalry as his backup."

--

Noctis just kind of chuckles.

Mortal has already gone to bed.

~Sal Ghidos~

L"Well, hopefully we'll think of something tomorrow."

~Tomorrow~

*Lilith & Roatha are tip-toeing to Zac's room, having opted to pay for 4 separate rooms in the hopes of getting rid of Seraph. Lilith quietly knocks on the door.*

L"(Zac! Wake up! It's time to go!)"

*Seraph approaches from the other end of the hall.*

S"Great, I'm already packed."
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~Orbonne~

*Early the next morning, they hear banging on the door, as well as the shouts of voices, though they're different from the one from the previous night.*

Male voice<It's locked!>

Female voice<Then break it down!>

Second male voice<No, pick the lock!>

Zac walked out, "Alright, lets mosey."

--

Mortal and Noct get up, and try to quickly and quietly get set up for battle. Mortal grabs her swords, and gets close to the door, that way when it opened she could surprise attack the first person to storm through. Noct just kind of hid in a corner that was on the wall with the door, so she wouldn't be seen instantly.

~Orbonne~

*A female knight finally manages to shoulder-slam the door open. They can't really see who or what is in the hall behind her.*
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~Sal Ghidos~

L"Damn it...."

R"Shit. I don't suppose anyone figured out how to isolate the Baron either, did they?"

"No. I kind of went to bed early, without giving it thought."

--

Mortal puts her swords at the knight's neck, "Who are you, what are you doing here?"

~Orbonne~

???<Well, isn't this a surprise?>

*The knight steps back into the hall with a male knight, a male thief, & a female ninja with tied-back black hair. The ninja has a scar going down her face, between her nose.*

<I don't believe I ever got your names, but it looks as though I'm destined to kill you.>
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~Sal Ghidos~

L"Actually, now that I've had more sleep, it's obvious: We eliminate his ability to call for reinforcements."

"And how do you suppose we do that?" Zac asked.

--

Mortal's guard dropped a bit, and her shoulders slumped, "It... its you!" Mortal furrowed her eyebrows, and tightened her grip on the blades, and pressed them tighter against the Knight's neck, "This is the exact opposite of a better life!"

~Sal Ghidos~

L"He wants to be the one to win the battle and get all of the glory. If he comes after us, it's going to be with a small team. If we surround that team, he can't send any messengers out if he finds he can't handle it. It also prevents him from escaping."
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~Orbonne~

*The knight had already backed away from her reach.*

<You think so? I'm now employeed by the church, with a fairly decent wage, I live in Mullonde Cathedral, and I work under Ser Wiegraf.>

"Wiegraf Folles? The commander of the Corpse Brigade?"

<The very same, only now he's a Templarate Commander. Which brings us full circle to the subject of killing you. There are two objectives to this mission. Firstly, we are to locate a holy artifact. Secondly, we are to ensure there are no witnesses.>

"So, I'll just shoot everyone in the leg, so they can't run away."

--

Noct laughed at the irony. Mortal was less than amused.

~Sal Ghidos~

L"I guess, but that seems like it would take a long time."

R"We also get to pick our own battlefield, for a change."

S"You people bore me."
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~Orbonne~

*The female knight is rubbing her neck & looking mighty cross.*

FK<Her fat ass is blocking the door.>

Ninja<One of you might just have to square off with her. Try to break her weapons. Gabe can always raise you with a Phoenix Down, should you fail.>

"Kill Gabe first, Euryale should probably fight the knight since she has no weapons to break. Excuse me while I dance," With that, Mincing Minuet.

Mortal double slashes the female knight, hoping the land an ice spell. She knew her swords could... they just have yet to.

--

"And what battlefield would that be?"