Eddie
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine, Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

Any thought that the Knight Commander had on the matter of corrupted relations was smothered by the fact that Col Jude was there as Amaryllis' friend and hero, rather than just a stranger with the intent to court either one of the girls. There were stranger nobles than what he looked like, but if one were to go on about looks rather than character, the journey they went through would be much more different than the way it turned out to be. Roderick had just suggested to be at ease. The last thing on his mind, if it was there, was to kick Col out of the room.

He was annoyed for a moment prior to walking in, because he didn't know the man and it was a breach in security in some way. However, the lady had the heart and mind to make her own decisions, just like she chose to ask Amaryllis to join them, despite his initial disapproval. The peasant proved to be important to Josephine then, beyond the capabilities of a guide and tracker. He wouldn't be mad about Col Jude.

"No one is taking any fall." He rubbed his scarred face, brown eyes covered by his fingers, then ran them through his slick black hair. "There is the truth and we will stand by the truth. I heard you already played dead, Amaryllis." He stated. "It's something I will have to talk about with Rolf when he returns."

Josephine smiled at the Knight Commander's first words, but the smile changed into a frown when he talked about the event at the apothecary. Howitzer had told him what Rolf shared. The noble wasn't happy about their course of action, but she sure was glad to be safe and sound with Amaryllis back at the Gallant Pheasant.

The young girl giggled when Col told Roderick about having the gossipers look at him. She didn't find him ugly or disgusting, not at all like some of the perverted minds back in Raunkastel. She was used to the scars of the warriors in her circle. The knights protecting her had their share of wounds left to cover their bodies, and her own father was marked by combat and war. Each scar told a tale, her father said, and she found herself curious about the scars on Col Jude's face and the others she couldn't see. It was not an attraction, at least not like this, but the interest in knowing more about him, like she enjoyed knowing more about Amaryllis.

"We're fine, Ryllis. Sir Roderick wouldn't be mean like that." Josie reassured Amaryllis.
Frankie
Amaryllis, Col, Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

Amaryllis was rather relieved when Col didn't pull away from her or act awkward about her act of reaching out to him and grasping his hand in her own. Since her family had passed, she had learned to hold onto the people she cared about more, both literally and figuratively, and although she hadn't known him for long, Col was someone she cared about. He had saved her life, and despite the fact that he said her survival and lack of tears were all the payment he needed, she knew she would forever be indebted to him. 

She relaxed even more when Roderick informed them that Col wouldn't have to leave and no one was going to take any fall. She smiled gratefully at Roderick, a warm, if tired smile that lit up her eyes. "Thank you, sir," She said warmly, giving Col's hand a firm squeeze. She had so much to say to Col, but it seemed rude and awkward to continue their conversation with Roderick here now.
Bobby
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine, Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

Col looked down at Amaryllis when she squeezed his hand. He figured it was meant to be some sort of assurance that she didn't hate him because of what they'd talk about earlier. She didn't really get to respond, but that was enough for him. That, and the fact that she didn't seem to want him to leave. He nodded to her then gently took his hand away. She didn't feel as feverish as she looked, which was nice to know. Whatever this illness was she seemed to be battling it, and she'd hopefully be fully recovered soon.

He decided to focus his attention to Lord Roderick, "Have they told you about the mission? The dream flower." He was curious if he allowed it. Just trying to gauge the sanity and tone of the room. He had a few questions, chief among them being *What happens if they don't come back?*...
Eddie
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine, Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

It was so comforting to see two people close and intimate to each other. Josephine enjoyed seeing the two friends reach out with their hands and hold each other in a moment that was bereft of the sorrows of the outside, although that could only last so much before the reality of the situation sunk in their minds again. But they'd savor the feeling while it lasted. She would to.

As for Roderick, he wasn't prepared to be questioned so soon after his arrival. Truth be told, the Knight Commander himself had questions to ask Josephine and Amaryllis about what Howitzer told him downstairs. A quest for a *Dream* Flower? Col Jude worded it perfectly. Roderick shared the skepticism of the knight sitting next to Amaryllis, on the side opposite to where the Merovingian heiress stood at. He gazed at Col with a cold touch in his gaze. He clung to logic more than dreams and ideas of dreams. He clung to thoughts and facts rather than visions and the possibility of magic.

"I was given a rundown by one of my fellow knights,-" He said, a stoic expression in his rough features. "-but I still have to ask Amaryllis details about the dream, as well as Josephine why she'd send two knights - one of them wounded - after a flower in a dream." His was not a berating tone, but Roderick did little to hide his disapproval. He could understand the urgency of the situation, but to send Tagus, her right hand, and a wounded knight on top of that? Josephine relied heavily on the boy, but at what cost? She relied heavily on folklore and mythos. At what cost? What if they don't return and the refugees keep dying? What good were their efforts for then? His eyes were heavy weights that slumped over Josephine and Amaryllis. He did not want to judge the girls, but he found himself pinning them in his head for the danger Rolf and Tagus could be in.
Frankie
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine, Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

Roderick's gaze weighed heavy on her, and she found herself sinking into her bed a bit more, as if she ccould somehow hide from that somewhat accusatory gaze. True, it was her dream that had caused Josephine to send Tagus and Rolf out there... And if the two didn't return, she would never forgive herself. And yet... If they did find the flowers and bring them back, hundreds could be saved! Wasn't that worth the risk?

She bit her lower lip hard and finally looked away, fiddling with a loose thread on the blanket and not daring to look at Roderick or Col. She could clearly sense their lack of faith in her and their skepticism. She knew it was warranted. After all, a dream about a flower was pretty crazy, but... She bit her lower lip hard and was silent, deciding that it was best if she not speak unless spoken too, or unless Josephine needed her to come to her defense.
Eddie
Barmayaa,
A Cavern in the Mountains,

How easy and entertaining to mess with righteous knights. They turn right until you see they turned left, once, twice, as many needed to twist their souls and corrupt their hearts. The dark skinned knight was a pit of anger and guilt. In his memories the witch scried, she could see the bottomless pit of bitterness, and the deeds, none chivalrous in his dark rooted past. Did he want to redeem himself? Did he want to be pardoned or—was he just running away?

The notion that it was highly likely to be the latter made her lips twitch and stretch into a malicious smirk. The little bug she played with and put in the man's mind would haunt and drive him mad, perhaps. Oh, how she wanted him to break into pieces and go utterly mad. She reveled in the certainty that he was but a demon without salvation, damned to remember now more than ever, remember until he could no longer. Until the pain of the blade was sharpest and instant, better than the slow death of being devoured by his conscience.

And what of Tagus?

His was a strong soul, a will growing to be quite like that of the man whose face she blurred out of his head. But so young and raw, with so much to sculpt and define. She gave him a charge through trade, a fair deal for the properties of the flowers she bestowed upon him. In her eyes, she was quite kind, was she not? Outside the cavern where Barmayaa resided, lonely and insane, echoes of her maddened laugh rolled down the mountain range.
Bobby
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine, Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

Col understood the tone and Lord Roderick's disapproval of the plan in the way he expressed it. Clearly he wasn't the only skeptic in the room, which frankly after the tears, was a relief. He nodded as a response. Assuming his mind went to the same place. Ladies were used to sending knights off, and hearing that a task was either completed or not. Only knights and their lords were used to knights not coming back though. Lord Roderick could send another to replace this Tagus if he truly believed in the mission, but his tone seemed to crush that possibility. The chances of them returning decreased significantly in Col's mind when he said that one of them was injured. "Hm," Was the only response he could muster for that. He refused to look at either Amaryllis or Josephine in that moment. He was sure that reality was going to hit them any second, and he wasn't going to stand for any more tears. 

He didn't believe in witches in the woods, but there were tribes that didn't care much for outsides coming in to pick their flowers. One and half knights verses a whole tribe didn't seem like good odds. Everyone seemed to be having the same thought, but there was nothing for Col to do. He didn't have any authority, he didn't have any solution either. They'd either come back or they wouldn't.

The good news was that Amaryllis seemed to be recovering from it without the flower. 

Clearly Lord Roderick wanted to speak with them in private, so he could at least remedy that. He walked towards the door when Lord Roderick said he had to speak with the both of them. "I'm across the hall if needed," He said before he opened the door then looked back to Amaryllis, "Or wanted." He closed it then finally made his way to his room.
Eddie
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine, Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

"Something had to be done and you weren't here, Knight Commander!" The teen barked. She was defensive in her remark, although she knew her decision was to blame. More so than her belief in Amaryllis' dream. Josephine caught herself in the midst of her teeny fit and swallowed. The taste was sour in her mouth. "So many people have died already... I only wanted to save those that haven't fallen yet!" Her eyes were blood red of previous tears and the chance of more stinging her gaze and permeating her cheeks. They did not. She held them in.

Roderick nodded and took a step forward. He was old and experienced, whereas she was young and naive. The Knight Commander laid his left hand on Josephine's right shoulder and sighed deeply. "It should not be left unsaid that I trust the men you sent on this quest." He reassured her. "But if the matter was urgent, you should come directly to me. I was accompanied by two knights. I could relieve one from one task to help the others in another."

"I-I..." Josephine slumped her head and shoulders, staring at the bottom, at the floor.

Roderick cupped her small and soft chin with his right hand's index finger and tilted her head up so he could see her full about face surrounded by her unkempt, dark blond hair. He gazed straight at her eyes, his dark browns were reflected in the round and green of the girl's, stricken golden. "I understand." He said plainly. "We won't discuss this further. I will post one of the knights at the outer gates. If-.. When they return, they will be greeted by one of their companions."

He removed his hands from the lady, out of character into the shoes of the Knight Commander. Roderick turned to Col and gave him a curt nod. "Thank you for your assistance,- Col." The knight said, a pause to remember the name, say it and not forget it.
Frankie
Amaryllis, Col, Josephine, and Roderick
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

Amaryllis watched as Col abandoned her once more, though it made sense for him to leave now. It was an awkward situation to be caught in the middle of, and Col seemed to *Hate* Anything the least bit socially awkward. It was a private conversation though. She hoped that she would see Col again before he left though... She at least wanted the chance to say goodbye this time. After all, the odds that they would see each other again were slim. 

She then turned her attention to Roderick, halfway expecting him to scold her or something. After all, she was at the heart of this. She had had the dream and told Josephine about it, and she hadn't stopped her friends from going after the flower. She had even suggested it! What was wrong with her?

She stared intently down at the blankets covering her and fiddled with the loose thread again. Anything to distract her... What if Roderick wanted her gone now? It would be understandable, really.
Bobby
Correcting the deficiency of an entire people will require the direction and hard work of those with insight, and before now John was wholly convinced that there were no people on Marin that could curb his success. This was, of course, until reality struck. Despite growing up with very little and rising to his potential through a laborious lifestyle, he had been closeted from the realities of the world behind the thick doors of a citadel that sat between him and the evils that frolicked the Northwind countryside. As the barrier between himself opened, the flock of nobility and military officials turned their attention suddenly to the unfamiliar outsiders who had entered. Nothing appeared odd about them in particular from a distance, but as they approached, their near-identical appearances appeared to be a spectacle for the audience. 

 The room went from being filled with nose to utter silence in a matter of seconds as the men in iron approached De Burgh. Every man that clung to the reigns of power in Northwind wanted to be in earshot of this conversation. John faced the two men as they approached, standing firmly in the center of the hall. As they drew nearer and nearer, it became increasingly clear to him that the two were not natives of Iron Gate or the surrounding area. Their tired apparel and seemingly worn figures would imply that they had traveled a long distance to reach the citadel. John respected their motivation.

"Greetings, Roderick of Raunkastel. I admire your dedication to Northwind's people in seeking an audience with me." John replied. He nodded at the knights who had escorted Roderick and his son, signaling them to leave them alone. As the knights departed, John continued. "I seek to put a quick end to the barbarian threat with whatever means might be necessary. Worry not about the others, they won't pose any harm to us. Rather, these noblemen have pledged their services to me and to the people of Northwind in our war against the evils that plague our country." John gave a glare to those spectating the conversation, in hopes that the noblemen would understand the implication that John wished to be left on his own accord with his visitors.

 As their Knight Commander spoke, John gently reached out to hold the rusted blade that the Knight Commander had presented him, taking it in his grasp and examining it closely. He had an idea, ironically, as to how this blade could be of use to him in the very near future. He listened with intent as the commander relayed his report, and it was just as he had envisioned. The first stage of the incursion is always when any wise military leader would defuse the threat, however, these barbarians had experience. They were ruthless, bloodthirsty conquerors who had been in this business for longer than John had. Despite this, John was confident he would be able to defeat them and defend his peoples.

As John finished examining the blade in his palms, he turned his attention directly to the Knight Commander. "I find it commonplace in most rebellion to probe the forces of your enemy in attempt to understand the capabilities your opponent may utilize on the battlefield. The first time they fought on the battlefield, time and numbers were not with them. They were simply attempting to draw a response. It was a test to determine if any lord in the area was strong enough to answer them with force. They quickly discovered the answer was no. It would explain why now they show such power and ferocity in their raids. A foolhardy conclusion, if you ask my opinion."

John would pause shortly, briefly closing his eyes to paint a clearer picture. He had a talent for intuition and strategy, which he had already begun to compose in his head almost as if he was melting together the pastels of war to begin to paint on the empty canvas that was the battlefield. As he envisioned the future, his eyes reopened. He lightly gazed upon the men standing before him. "While it may be wise to defuse the threat of the barbarians with deadly force as quickly as possible, it is even wiser to respond to those within my walls that are suffering from this terrible illness. I would like to personally invite the three of you into my personal study. I am sure you may be able to find something that may assist your knowledge of the barbarians and the illness." John concluded.