Bobby
Horse back was not comfortable in this weather, but being a true man of Northwind, it didn't really faze him, head to toe in the master crafted armour made by his Father, his horse also had armour of great similarity, on his hip swinging gently and rubbing across the horse was the large flail, in his left hand tightly held was the large shield, he then looks up ahead as he spots his destination and stretches his arms out, before he pats the horses front leg gently "Not far boy... Just a little further" He groans as take the reins, still slowly wading along the path, before he makes it to the edge of where everyone was, stopping amongst the other horses, the large horse a head above all the others, the large man atop it climbed down and walks forward, looking for one of the Whylder's
Eddie
Amaryllis, Josephine
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

After Tagus left with Rolf, Howitzer was left in charge of the services the young Merovingian noble woman requested. To continue the process of recovery of her shepherdess friend, she asked for a refill of water. Added to it, she also had the idea of asking for fruits, pears and apples fresh of summer time. The large blond Taemarian knight brought the sliced pears and apples, he also carried a jug full of water and brought an extra cup, thus giving each girl one to drink from.

Josephine listened to her friend pray and smiled softly. She sat comfortably next to Amaryllis and guided her hand to the peasant's. She was happy to see the color return to Amaryllis' cheeks and prayed with her, her friend's hand between her pair. She rubbed Amaryllis' palm and back of the hand gently, soft caresses on her skin.

"Would you like some fruit, Ryllis?" She asked, taking a slice of pear from the silver plate and eating half.

Hausel, Maverick, Roderick
The Center of Iron Gate

The knights were still waiting outside of the last inner gate, earshot away from the loud announcement that the acting governor of Iron Gate proclaimed towards his people. His was a voice of unparalleled projection, reaching far through the atmosphere of the metropolis, rolling over walls to get to the ears, the hearts and minds of his people. With the growing problem of the refugee caravans and the barbarian onslaught, it was a matter of time until John de Burgh accepted the dire situation as fact and spoke to the people in his first ever public appearance. The notion that Northwind was kingless faded under the rousal of the populace by the one man Roderick listened to with interest.

"That cuts our work short." Maverick said, glancing at his father with a hopeful smile.

"We should still meet him." Roderick replied. "Gatekeeper, will you let us through now?" He questioned the guard again, as emotions settled after de Burgh's speech.

"Well, if you have information on the barbarians-..."

"I do, and I have a lot to discuss with your governor. Now go and get us clearance to speak with your leader. The people outside are suffering."

"Many more will suffer if you hesitate." Hausel pushed the idea, although he did not really care about the lowborn stranded on the outer walls of Iron Gate. He was but doing his duty following Roderick's command.

The guard was left without another option. He had one of his companions brought to him by a quick call and told him to go into the citadel, so John de Burgh could be warned of knights having information about the barbarian invasion. In the meantime, Roderick had to wait outside, on the inner rim of the crowd gathering at the gates, some with complete disregard for the crisis and still looking to push their personal interests above the public concern.
Frankie
Lord Albert Rhoderick
Undisclosed location: Fargone

Rhoderick's mind was racing as Kharlyle dismounted and signaled his men. He managed to keep it together and didn't let his concern show, nor did he turn to look at Mercurio. If Mercurio wanted to protect him, he would, and it would speak to their partnership. It would set the tone of their future partnership—if it was to even continue at all. 

That being said, Rhoderick was kind of shitting himself. Kharlyle had made it clear that he hated him, and Mercurio and Kharlyle had a bond far deeper than what a mere handshake between he and Mercurio could establish. He managed not to show his fear or anything, as life with his father had taught him to, if nothing else, don a blank expression when in doubt. Years with his father had hardened him, certainly, but for all his affectations, he was not yet the monster he aspired to be. He still felt fear, and right now, he knew he was still but a fledgling.

He took to what life with his father had taught him though, donning a blank expression as Kharlyle's men bunched around him, herding him forward faster than he had intended to. He was careful not to resist them either, for resisting could end the partnership and get him killed in the process. With as many as there were, a fight would be a foolhardy suicide mission.

Amaryllis Sweetford and Josephine
The Gallant Pheasant, Iron Gate

Amaryllis enjoyed the comfort and company of her new friend. She really had come to care for Josephine very, very much and viewed the young woman like a little sister. Admittedly, Josephine did indeed reminder her of the little sister that Amaryllis had lost. She laid there quietly for the most part, as it was best not to exert herself, but when Josephine offered her food, Amaryllis' stomach growled in response. 

At that, she sat up a bit, using the pillows to support herself. It was then that she saw the silver plate and the fruits that adorned it. Fruit! Food! So fancy! Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped a bit, so it took her a moment or two before she finally said, "I would... I would love some!" Really, she had seldom had fruit in her lifetime, save for the berries that one could find in the hills. Fruits like this were a rare and precious thing for the poor of Northwind. 

She reached out a shaky hand and took a piece of fruit from Josephine before slipping it into her mouth. The taste was incredible... She closed her eyes and let out a faint little sigh of contentment as she savored it, chewing very slowly. When she had finally finished it, she opened her eyes and looked to Josephine as she asked, "Josephine... Have you had lots of food like this before?"
Bobby
John De Burgh
The Citadel; Grand Hall, Iron Gate

 An odyssey laid ahead of the Kingdom of Northwind. An odyssey that could determine the destiny of the people who call Northwind home. Failure to destroy the threat may end in the subjugation of Northwind and her peoples, an idea that filled John with fear. He understood that this event would either cause him to go down in history as a hero, or a miserable failure who couldn't protect his own people from enslavement. However, the resolve of the people are strong, and not even moments after his declaration civilians came to relay information about the barbarians and their ruthless slaughters.

 As John trekked the halls of the citadel, he began to chart a plan of action in his head. He wanted to determine a way to get an advantage over his enemy that would allow him the upper hand. The only problem was simply that he knew very little about the specifics of the enemy, only that they were barbarians. From this, he could determine one thing: that he would have to counter guerrilla tactics. 

Guerilla warfare is the worst enemy of the organized army. It relies on subterfuge, finesse, and chaos to gain leverage over the often larger and more organized force. In the case of standing off against Guerilla fighters, the technological superiority of Northwind's army will likely play little part. John, however, understood how insurgency operated. In its first stage, it is weak and must concentrate effort on its organization before it can take out the government. This is the optimal time to subdue the threat. However, this has advanced well beyond that stage. Northwind has been a warlord state for the better part of a century. In the case of these barbarian insurgents, they have no movement other than the destruction and pillaging of cities for their own profit. A fact that John would most certainly use to his advantage.

The barbarians are strong, and are at a position to seize initiative from the government; the second stage of insurgency. At this point, they pose a liable threat to the stability of power in the government. However, John knew of several ways to destroy the barbarians in a way that would cost him resources in the wake of quick victory.

Being deep in thought causes the world around you to accelerate without your knowledge, a status that John has found himself in many more times than one. He had already reached his destination by the end of his deliberation and had made his way along the blood red carpet that lined itself all the way to the door of the citadel. Just on the other side of that door was the outside world. A cold, bitter and destructive world that John had every intention of taming. On his right and left were circular flights of stairs lined with marble as white as a freshly grown cotton field, with crimson red carpeting lining them. Coming down these steps were four of John's most esteemed knights who would serve as his guards in the presence of the visitors who have scheduled to meet with him. John stood directly on top of the sigil of Northwind that was embroidered on the citadel carpet. A black circle with a jaded star lined with golden peaks on each point.

"Invite the knights in!" John ordered the guardsmen at the citadel doors.

"Sire, they have yet to be searched. To allow them in now would be dangerous." The gatekeeper remarked.

"We need not search them," John said, quietly. "No man in Northwind is foolish to challenge my guard in the center of a citadel held firmly in the grip of Northwind's military. Let them in."

The guardsmen proceeded to pull open the iron doors, combining the worlds of John's citadel and the frostbitten cold of the city. As the bitter wind filled the hall, John noticed an ocean of citizens standing outside facing him as he looked upon the state of affairs in the city. Chiefly among them, two men appeared. A young man and his father, who were ordered simultaneously to enter the citadel and come before John at the center of the hall.