<div class="floatleft">(http://blog.turbosquid.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/3DFantasyKnight.jpg)</div><br/><strong>Name:</strong>Kale<br/><strong>Role</strong>: Knight Commander<br/><strong>Location</strong>:  Courtyard<br/><strong>Tagged</strong>:  Essaline, Kariani, Lorenzo<br/><br/>The two friends watched the proceedings with solemn amusement.  The Knight Commander oversaw the conduct of his new pages from afar, making small talk regarding their dispositions.  'He is on the prowl, that one -- very competitive,' or, 'he is dismissive of the citizenry -- a product of bad parenting.'  But overall, he seemed pleased by the games and of his choices.<br/><br/>"Behold, m'lord!  It is the First Sword himself!" Sir Ralph said as Lorenzo and his spearmen crossed the courtyard.<br/><br/>"Indeed," Kale said.   "He looks quite harried."<br/><br/>"I wonder where he is off to?  Did you know he was here?"<br/><br/>"No.  I would have a word with him, but I am sure that we shall meet later."<br/><br/>Sir Ralph leaned back against his saddle and then said:   "You know, I think you'd have a good shot at the First Sword.  Lorenzo is old, you know.  And you're not bad at crossing swords."<br/><br/>"Lorenzo could be 99, and he would still best me," Kale said dryly.<br/><br/>A rider quickly approached from beyond the castle's gates.  He stopped before the two knights, reeled his tired horse in and said:<br/><br/>"Knight Commander!  The Queen of Aserit and her spawn approach the castle from the rear of the city!"<br/><br/>"From the rear!" Sir Ralph cried.   "What is the meaning of this?"<br/><br/>"Perhaps they are taking stock of our defenses," the Knight Commander said.<br/><br/>"Indeed!" he bellowed.   "It is good that you made such irregular orders, m'lord.  I thought you were mad!  But now I understand your meaning."<br/><br/>"Deception is not my strongest suit, Sir Ralph," he said,  "it is ignoble."<br/><br/>"Do you think that they shall know?"<br/><br/>"I cannot say," the Knight Commander said slowly.   "They expect treachery everywhere.  But they are full of hubris, too.  They do not expect any sort of military excellence outside of their boundaries."  He then turned to look at the rider.   "Garrett, tell the First Sword what you told me.  He just entered the castle.  Tell him that I have gone to meet the delegation personally.  Have any messages forward to me."  He then turned to look at Sir Ralph.   "You, Sir Pontius and I will meet the delegation.  Be prepared to ride out in a moment.  Instruct Sir Alfus that he is to oversee the Choosing."<br/><br/>"Yes, Knight Commander!  It will be done!"<br/><br/>And with that, Garrett, the Rider, went off to catch Lorenzo, while Sir Ralph went to get Sir Pontius, leaving Kale to ponder over what was to be done.<br/><br/>"May heaven grant me the strength to be civil," he murmured to himself.