Jeremy
Kharlyle Whylder

Undisclosed Location: Fargone 

Kharlyle cocked his head back and laughed loudly before catching his breath, just to openly laugh at the pained man again. You could feel the tangible confusion behind the faces of everyone involved. "What's is it boy, what do you honestly think it is that sets you apart... Your wit, your cunning? Your charisma and charm? Your fucking ability to steal a piece of paper? No fuck that kid" Kharlyle was only beginning to calm his violent laughter "You. Have. Loyalty." He looked to Rhoderick as if he was going to say anything at all. "Loyalty boy! The godsdamn loyalty of fokin saint! And hell I can prove it" Kharlyle signaled to his men to hoist him further up into the air, closer to him. "Hell, I can prove it, you want me to prove it" His tone quickly became jovial, nearly even giddy with excitement and he spoke quickly. "One of you guards there, give me a knife, I know this man's loyalty"
Frankie
Lord Albert Rhoderick
Undisclosed location: Fargone

The higher he was lifted, the more pain that bristled through his body. He could scarcely breathe at this point, and it was all he could do to keep from letting out a groan of agony. Stars arced across his field of vision, and he could almost hear the bones in his shoulders grinding together, creaking and groaning like tree branches in the middle of a bad thunderstorm. 

Rhoderick watched warily as one of the guards produced a silvery blade, its handle ornately carved and made of copper. It was a beautiful weapon, and clearly the guard's own personal knife. Had it been sunny out, Rhoderick had no doubt that it would have glimmered brilliantly in the light, but as it was, it only reflected the muted grays of his shroud. So this was to be his sacrifice... 

He gritted his teeth hard and clenched his jaw, glaring at Kharlyle with a hard look. He carefully erased any traces of fear or pain from his features, leaving only anger and courage. Or rather, pure unbridled stubbornness.
Jeremy
Kharlyle Whylder 

Undisclosed Location: Fargone 

Kharlyle sighed and looked up at his forehead, knife in hand, acting as if the next actions he was going to commit were nothing more than a mandatory chore. 
"So this whole Loyalty thing, I know you've thought about it in your head, what the hell is this mad fuck on about, how would he know my loyalty, we've never even worked together... Yet" Kharlyle dialogued "Well would a disloyal man just give the Whylders full access to the entirety of his income streams, his multitude of businesses for seemingly nothing in return" No he wouldn't!" Kharlyle held a knife to his throat. "Tonight you will prove to me that the pen is mightier than the blade, sign over the entirety of your wealth and sources to the Whylders or-" Kharlyle paused, looking at Rhoderick who's eyes had been fixated the wavering blade the entire speech. "Wait, what do you think I'm going to do with this?" He asked flatly
Frankie
Lord Albert Rhoderick
Undisclosed location: Fargone

For the first time, Rhoderick faltered, his eyes widening in surprise. As his facade cracked, so did his will, and the young man let out a faint groan. The blade felt icy against his throat, the unfeeling blade no more than a simple slip from slicing his throat and sending his life's blood spewing and turning the ground beneath him a deep, sanguine hue. 

His mind raced. This was a test, he knew, but he wasn't sure how to pass. If he caved, it would seem as if he had no willpower and was easily frightened. If he refused, it might make him seem untrustworthy. Or worse yet, it could end up with him dead and his body tossed into the water below. Admittedly, signing something over to them would be a show of good faith, but everything?

He strained his eyes to the right, doing his best to get a look at Mercurio. He was able to catch a glimpse of the man out of the corner of his eye, but Mercurio was doing nothing. He just stood there as Rhoderick was tormented... 

It took him a few moments, but he managed to regain his composure, his lips curling into a sneer as he replied, "Nothing. You will do nothing because you know that I'm the closest to De Burgh right now. You need me, and we both know it."
Eddie
Maverick, Roderick
The Citadel, Iron Gate

Old and new listened intently to the words of the man they called the rightful ruler of Northwind, sovereign of the capital city of Iron Gate. They were present during his speech and again they hearkened to his roar, a voice that although calm, it boomed through the throne room, the main court of the northern hills of Marin. The districts that divided the city were all oblivious to the meeting taking place between Taemarian and Northwinder, the capital bustling with activity even when it had so many people affected by the illness outside of the massive walls, some within the first ring being looked after by the emergency dispatches of doctors and apothecarians. The knowledge of herbs and anatomy did little to reduce the pain, let alone save any from their ultimate demise. Such tragedy had to be fought, though before John spoke of the infection, he discussed his opinion of rebels and barbarians with Lord Roderick and his son, Sir Maverick.

Roderick was not appointed Knight Commander of the Merovingian House without an extensive repertoire to his services. He stood in the battle lines like his son before him, following orders under a captain, who in turn would respond higher through a chain of command to the very sanctity of the Grunewald. He met Clovis Merovingian when they were both teens and, much like Josephine and Tagus, they went together in the journey to the northernmost corner for the current head's coming of age. It was an honor to walk this path once again, to protect the daughter like he protected the father. Roderick was a racing horse Clovis bet on, with education and social grooming, to understand the politics of Raunkastel and act as second in command to an army of disciplined and calloused soldiers, warriors trained under the impression of Taemar's rigidity and Ibethiel's chivalrous code.

"Do you believe the army you fought against to be the same wreaking chaos through your land?" The knight asked sincerely. "We have been up against small bands, none too great a threat for a whole legion, but they're amassing."

Maverick held his father's shoulder in a timely opportunity to pause. John de Burgh added what he had left to speak, and his focus on the issue of the infection was well employed by the young one's perspective. His father consented with the chance to join the governor of Northwind in his study. He nodded at John and said. "We may join you, Lord de Burgh, for a time. One of our own might have been infected by this same illness and anything on the subject will be a great boon indeed. I appreciate your readiness to help us." At that time, Roderick knew little of what was happening to Josephine and the others and that troubled his mind. The young noble was not one to recklessly throw herself in harm's way, but what if her friend died? How would she feel? Josephine practically grew up with Roderick almost as much as she did with her father. He could be like an uncle to her, perhaps.

The knights stood ready to follow John de Burgh. They threw mild glances at the nobles around them and cared little what was on the mind of the aristocracy. Taemar did not have the best reputation outside of its borders, nor did its people, but the two Taemarian proved that ill gotten reputation wrong.
Frankie
Amaryllis Sweetford
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gates
 
Time Skip: Event occurs following Roderick's meeting with De Burgh and Roderick's subsequent conversation with Amaryllis and Josephine

Amaryllis laid in bed, staring up into the darkness surrounding her. In the bed nearby, Amaryllis could hear the soft, steady breathing of her young companion, peppered with the occasional sleeping mumble. She glanced over at her friend for a moment, watching the slight rise and fall of her chest in the darkness, then looked back up at the ceiling as she let out a soft puff of air in a somewhat frustrated sigh. 

Why couldn't she sleep? Her mind seemed to be all caught up with Col at the moment. He had said he was leaving in the morning. How early? She didn't know, and that bothered her. He might just turn around and abandon her all over again. Well, this time, she wouldn't let it happen! She'd at least get to say goodbye before he left!

She was feeling stronger by this point, having made a rather miraculous recovery and returning from the brink of death. Whether a miracle or magic or just a good immune system, Amary had recovered. Of course, she was still a bit weak and tired, but strong enough that she could move around.

Quietly, she sat up in bed and put her feet out over the edge, shivering a bit as her feet touched the cool wood floor beneath her. She sat there on the edge of the bed, her hands stabilizing her by pressing against the bed on either side of her body, and just waited a few moments, listening for Josephine and gathering her strength. When she was certain that she had not awoken Josephine, she slowly pushed herself up and padded in her bare feet to the door. 

Slowly... Agonizingly slowly, she turned the doorknob until the latch gave way with a soft click. She stopped, listening, and when satisfied, she opened the door just wide enough for her to slip through before closing it once more and gently releasing the doorknob. She now gazed at Col's door, just a few feet from her, and hesitated a bit. He was probably asleep... But this might be the only chance to see him! With that thought in mind, she padded to the door and knocked lightly upon it as she called softly, "Col... Are you awake? It's Amary..."
Bobby
Amaryllis, Col
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gates

Col pretty much collapsed the second he was alone. He wasn't sure if he'd be needed again or not, so he slept when he could. To him, the situation was no longer urgent. Amaryllis seemed to be recovering, and that's really the only interest he had in what was going on in the room across the hall. Of course, he kept a well wish for the knights who went off in search of her dream flower. He was most likely going to be far away by the time they returned or didn't... 

He heart the small tap on the door, but he didn't get out of bed until he heard his name. He went over to the door to open it and was met with a mass of frizzy copper curls. He stepped to the side so she could enter, gesturing with his head for her to come in. There was some light in the room from the low fire burning in the hearth for warmth so they could see each other. 

He pulled a chair next to it so she could sit by the fire. He sat at the edge of the bed looking over at her. "What's the matter?" His thoughts ranged from preparing himself for tears because she got word the knights died, to her screaming at him because of their brief conversation earlier.
Frankie
Amaryllis, Col
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gates

Amaryllis slipped quietly into the room and took his cues, quietly sitting in the chair before looking up at him with her soft, dark eyes. They were wide in the darkness, the pupils dilated in such a way that they showed just the slightest amber brown color on the edge in the glimmer of the firelight. Her eyes searched over his face, soaking in his features and trying to gauge his feelings.

At his question, she blushed a little and looked away, fumbling with the seam of her dress a bit as she bit her lower lip hard. When she finally dared to look up at him again, she murmured, "There's nothing really wrong... I just... I couldn't sleep, and I was afraid that you'd leave without letting me say goodbye again." She turned a deeper shade of pink. "I know, that's stupid... But I did want to get to say goodbye, and we didn't get to really talk earlier."
Bobby
Amaryllis, Col
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gates

Leaving the way he did when they first meant definitely wasn't his intention, however, he was never great at goodbyes. Watching her blush and fidget in her seat was pretty much the reason why. It was difficult to see anyone looking at him like they wanted him to come back to them when he could never actually promise that. He sat up with a sigh, looking away from her wide eyes and rosy cheeks. He nodded when she said nothing was wrong, "Good." He turned back, "You look well." She wasn't quite so feverish as she was earlier. He could tell by looking she wasn't back to normal yet, but based off what he heard about the other people's conditions after run-ins with the wolfman.. She'd recovered well. 

"Mhm," He replied when she said that she couldn't sleep and she was afraid he'd leave without saying goodbye. He looked back at her, "I was planning on telling you when it was time for me to leave." He shrugged, "Although, to be honest I don't understand the comfort in the tradition. You could just as easily say goodbye at my funeral." It was an awful joke to try to break the tension. 

"You may take comfort in the fact that I'm going to a tournament, not to battle. 500 coins and new armor certainly catches my interest, but I'm perfectly fine with losing the match before my life." In Col, that was his way of saying he'd be careful. "No telling who I'm up against though, and I can't just let my opponent win. There's no fun in that." ....But not too careful.
Frankie
Amaryllis, Col
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gates

A slight grimace passed over her features when he said that she could say goodbye at his funeral. What a horrible thought... She sensed that he had said it as a joke, if not a very sensitive one, so she didn't comment on it. Still, it was a harsh reminder that, really, this would likely be their first and last goodbye. She'd never see him after this, most likely. It also reminded her, however, that the people she cared about most often seemed to turn up dead... Was she a bad luck charm? No, such things weren't true... But it frequently felt like it was. 

She managed a little smile as he spoke of the tournament and replied, "I'm so glad to hear that, Col, and I hope that you win! Though I'm sure you will. How could you not?" 

Her mind circled back to the conversation that had been interrupted. "It seems you made the right choice when you left. I mean, you're a knight now!" She smiled warmly at him, hoping to make it clear to him that she had no hard feelings towards him because of his departure. And she could understand why he had thought that she died or got married to survive the winter. Somehow, she had done neither. Perhaps she was too stubborn for both.
Bobby
Amaryllis, Col
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gates

It was pretty obvious that his joke wasn't received well by her slight grimace. It passed quickly enough though, and she seemed to focus more on the tournament. He laughed shortly when she asked how could he no win, "There are many ways that I could lose. Sometimes it's just a matter of someone wanted armor more than me... Sometimes it's because someone knocked me on my arse and I had a hard time getting up." 

He stared across at her when she said that he made the right choice, and he couldn't tell if she actually meant that or not. "Aye," He said with a nod when she said he was a knight. He stuck on his path to that, and he really didn't know her very well. It wasn't exactly the honorable thing to do though. He didn't need to admit that to her to know that. 

"You've done well for yourself too it seems. You've found yourself in good company. Although, how you're traveling with a Lady and an army yet still managed to get yourself poisoned is beyond me." Actually, it would have been more confusing if Josephine was poisoned and Amaryllis was not. Of course, the knights would protect the Lady first. "Mind your manners with the high borns," He teased. "Next time I see you, you'll have forgotten my face. You'll have massive landholdings and a new flock that some other poor village girl gets stabbed protecting." He smirked, hoping she didn't take a word of his teasing seriously.
Frankie
Amaryllis, Col
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gates

Admittedly, his gaze felt a bit intense when he had stared across at her when she said that he made the right choice. Did he believe her? She hoped that he did, for she meant every word of it. As hard as it had been and as much as it had hurt her to be abandoned, he had made the right choice for himself, and she had survived, at the end of the day. It would have been crazy for him to give up his dreams for some random girl he rescued. Few people would have even stopped to help her even as much as he had, and she owed him greatly for that. 

The seriousness seemed to lift and the room brightened when he teased her a bit. Amaryllis gave him a warm smile and let out a soft giggle before she replied, "I *Highly* Doubt that will ever happen. People like me don't rise through the ranks, but I'm happy for the moment. Maybe I'll finally get to see the world!" She gave him a conspirational wink and continued, "But you, on the other hand, are going to get all the way to the top!" She leaned back in her chair then, letting out a little sigh as she just smiled warmly, almost lovingly, back at him. She felt a strong sense of kinship with him, wherever that stemmed from, and it made her quite affectionate. Absolutely foolhardy, she knew, but she felt it all the same. 

"I could never forget your face though," She said seriously, after a little pause. "I remembered it after all this time, even though when I last saw you, I was delirious with pain." She shook her head for a moment and smiled again, "Though with all my run-ins, I might end up being as battle scarred as any knight!"