Open Chronicles A Lesson By the Sea

[Selene Avar]

Vel Luin - Cortosi Coast

Selene stood on the walls of Vel Luin watching waves slowly crash against the sharp rocks below. Her expression, as it always was, carved from stone as she peered down with complete disinterest.

She had never quite liked the sea. Water was not her natural element, and being so close to it made her feel somewhat uneasy. It was something she would never admit to anyone else, not even under torture, but she couldn't help but feel a small prickle run up her spine. Lips thinned, and slowly she turned away from the wall.

Vel Luin was one of the largest coastal cities controlled directly by Vel Anir. It was a Fortress, much like Vel Anir itself, though far less grand.

She had no idea when it was originally built, though knew that it served as a major naval outpost. Unlike her home city, Vel Luin was also controlled by only Three Great Houses, the other four having no direct influence. Virak, Siril, and Pirian ruled here. The Duke, a man named Albrecht, answered to all three of them oddly enough, though his own House was a branch of Siril.

The city was an important one for Vel Anir, acting as a base of operations for the navy and a hub for trade.

That was why she was here now.

A lesson was being taught, one that was intended to strike home. At noon time today three executions were scheduled, all of them to be carried out via the hand of a fellow Dreadlord that had traveled with her. The three sentenced were all pirates.

Two of them were all but nameless, their only accomplishments apparently being the hijacking of several smaller vessels. The Third however had made a reputation for herself. Somehow she had managed to hijack not only a trade galleon, but a Frigate belonging to the Anirian Navy itself. The humiliation had struck a blow hard enough to have the Great Houses turn their collective ire on the woman. Her capture after that had been swift, and now Captain Sena Fain faced execution.

Selene didn't care much for executions, but she was here as a representative of House Virak. After all, no execution in Vel Luin could take place without someone from the House giving their ascent.

The city bells rang, their thunderous sound reaching her even here by the sea wall. It was eleven now, only an hour to go. The square would be packed by now, the crowd ravenous for blood.

She wondered if things would go smoothly.

 

[Odin Kemp]

"YEEESSSS!" Odin exited from the inn of Vel Luin a jug of Ale wrapped around his massive fingers. It was another day of drinking and feasting for the Paladin. Odin sang songs with his fellow soldiers and challenged them to drinking contests in which of course he won. It was the simple life that Odin loved: Family, friends, feasting and fighting. Forget politics, plotting and all of that shit, it wasn't Odin even though his family was always dragged into the realm of politics and intrigue.

"Odin!" His friend stumbled out of the inn behind him. His blotchy pale face was dark red from drinking a full keg last night. Odin chuckled. "Bagley my friend! Where do you think you're going?!"

"I'm heading back to the barracks!" Bagley spat at Odin his entire body swaying back and forth. "I need to gather the boys we're to see a hanging!"

Odin frowned brushing off some golden locks that fell in front of his eyes. He's heard that three pirates were to be sentenced to death. For years the Vel Anir Navy has been struggling with the Pirates who roam the sea. Odin heard stories from survivors that the Pirates would take the loot and kill anyone who would resist. The Pirates relied on faster ships to surround and overwhelm the slower but more technically advanced Frigates and Warships of Vel Anir and strike them when they were at their weakest. Odin could hardly believe it the world's best military bested by a bunch dishonorable thugs.

"I see," Odin shrugged. "I have no interest in seeing this hanging but out of curiosity who is carrying the sentence?"

Bagley collapsed on his rump lost in thought, Odin smirked a bit when he Bagley was continuously hiccupping in the process. "A Dreadlord." he said simply.

"Da!" Odin cringed at the word Dreadlords were emotionless, magic loving fools who have an air of superiority over everyone. For over a millennia, the Paladins and Dreadlords had an interservice rivalry with one another. Each of them competing on who is the best soldiers in all of Vel Anir. Of course it was the Paladins, they were considered True Knights: Men and women who embodied the ideals of a Knight. Only True Knights who committed great deeds on the battlefield are chosen to become a Paladin.

"Well I sense a bit of jealousy going on!" Bagley slurred through his words. "It's the bloody Dreadlords committing the hanging! Sounds like you're upset that you don't get to kill them!"

"With Dreadlords," Odin sighed. "It's less about hangings and more about executions."

"I think you'll be interested in this one." Bagley said.

"Why?"

"Because the Pirate Captain they captured: Sena Fain." Bagley dragged himself closer to Odin. "They say she's killed a Paladin in a fight to take a Frigate."

Odin face etched in a frown. "Impossible!" He roared. "Nobody can kill a Paladin easily, we undergo intense training and wear enhanced armor that increases are speed, strength and defense! Noone call kill a Paladin easily especially with a rascapllion!"

Odin picked up Bagley and threw him over his shoulder. "If a Sena Fain has killed a Paladin," He remarked. "Than a Paladin must be the one to carry the sentence. It is tradition: The blood of a brother or sister that is spilled by the enemy must repaid by a fellow Paladin."

Honor..... that was what Odin lived by, he needed to know if this was true. If someone as mighty as a Paladin could fall. The two arrived at the execution spot, Odin towered over everyone making it easy to find the executioners. "STOP THE EXECUTION!" He said dropping Bagely gently on to the ground. "I must know if the Pirate Captain has slain a Paladin!"

 

[Selene Avar]

The crowd had gathered, though there was no execution yet.

It was not noon by the time the Paladin's arrived, though the sound of the bell tolling meant the time was drawing ever nearer. Selene and her Fellow Dreadlord stood on the platform already, joined by two Anirian Guardsmen and an official selected by the Baron.

The crowd of course parted for the Paladin, but the two Anirian Guardsmen stepped in front of him as he began to scream towards the platform. Selene gave a glance towards the noise of the disturbance, her eyes rolling slightly as she regarded her partner.

A smile crossed the other man's face, but it was the Baron's representative that stepped forward to address the screaming man. Selene paid it no mind, such nonsense was beneath her.

"Sena Fain is to be executed at noon, her corpse to be hung on the highest tower. There is no stopping the execution."​

The bell tolled once more, thirty minutes to go.

Selene glanced back towards the keep, it's massive doors sliding open to reveal a gaggle of Anirian Guardsmen surrounding three figures in chains. The crowd parted around them just it had for the Paladin. The screaming began then.

Jeers, insults, and all sorts of nonsense that made it difficult to hear.

Selene kept herself from covering her ears, her face an implacable mask as she waited. Her eyes met those of the other Dreadlord, watching him as he licked his lips eagerly.

Some men relished this sort of thing.

For her it was just boring.

 

[Odin Kemp]

There were some boos from the crowd and Odin was all too aware about how the mob always loves a good hanging. At Vel Luin, the most popular method of execution was hanging from the tallest tower. Some soldiers stationed at Vel Luin often call it the Hangtower for giggles. "I'm not here to stop the execution!" Odin shouted at the Anirian guardsmen. They were armored up each having the Baron's sigil etched on their breast plate. "I must know! Did Sena Fain kill a Paladin."

The bell rang and Odin growled. "Damn!" he said to himself. "Half an hour to go before kill them."

"Sena Fain has committed atrocities to the men and women of Vel Anir. She is to be hanged by the counts of murder, theft, bribery."

"DAMN IT!" Odin roared at the two guards who placed their hands instinctively on the hilt of their blades. "DID SHE KILL A PALADIN?!"

The guards looked at each other exchanging nervous glances before staring back up at Odin. "Yes," one of them said.

Odin stepped back and closed his eyes saddened at the loss. "Who," Odin said. "Who was the Paladin?"

The guards shook their heads. "I cannot divulge that information," one of them said. "The Dreadlords were the one who took the corpse."

"What?!" Odin who was already fuming with rage stared at the Dreadlord. They dare take away a dead Paladin and NOT tell them?! The Paladins have traditions in dealing with their dead and if the killer is caught then by tradition a Paladin must perform the execution through a beheading.

Odin grabbed the heads of both guards slamming them together before running up to the executioner. "You are not to perform the hanging!" He demanded. "Sara Fain has killed a Paladin and by tradition she must executed by a fellow Paladin through a beheading!"

The young man closed his eyes before opening them and glaring daggers at any Dreadlord. "And you Dreadlords did not even come to inform the Paladins that our own people was slain in battle!" He roared. "Dishonorable and disrespectful all of you! I demand to be the one who swings the blade! Fetch me a block!"

 

[Selene Avar]

"No."​

The voice came from Selene's partner. Eldrig was his name. He was a stern man, always had been as far as she could remember. Of the two of them he was the elder by some years, though in regards to their levels of power Selene outstripped him by a measure or two.

He had been the one to volunteer as executioner though, and thus of the two of them he was technically in charge. Not that it really mattered all that much. Selene didn't particularly care about the Pirate woman, nor who did the killing of her.

She just wanted to get out of all this screaming.

"Your masters in Vel Anir were informed two days ago when she was captured. It's not our fault they didn't pass it along to anyone."​

Selene had no idea if that was true, neither she nor Eldrig had been there when Fain was captured. Though knowing Eldrig's character he was likely lying through his teeth. Most Dreadlord's cared very little for Paladins and their traditions.

Honor was useless after all.

"Now, step off the platform before I have you arrested for assaulting soldiers of Vel Anir."​

Selene perked an eyebrow, though again said absolutely nothing. Instead her eyes wandered to the two dozen guards escorting the three prisoners to the platform. They were just about there now, though all of them had slowed at the sight of the argument unfolding.

The Baron's official stood still, caught between a rock and a hard place, though clearly far more afraid of the Dreadlords than the Paladins.

 

[Odin Kemp]

The Dreadlord came to towards Odin wearing that same dull look that all Dreadlords have when conversing with anyone. What's with Dreadlords and their lack of emotion? Do they not understand that they should be representing Vel Anir with pride and distinction. "They're just as soulless as a Zombie." Odin thought. It was one of many reasons why the Paladins didn't like the Dreadlords. Their lack of emotion was off putting to them.

"LIES!" Odin yelled taking out a Talisman in his pocket. "This Talisman informs us whenever a Paladin is reported to be slain! Our GrandKnights sends out a signal whenever they learn the deaths of our brothers and sisters!"

Throughout Vel Anir Paladins were considered to be invincible warriors, larger than life heroes. Whenever a single Paladin enters the battlefield, morale amongst the soldiers soars. The talisman was a reminder, that even though the Paladins our powerful they are mortal and can fall any time. These Dreadlords don't understand anything that the Paladins stand for.

From the corner of his eye, Odin saw Bagley signaling to him. It was one thing his friend was good at was to start a riot. For years his drunken outbursts and love for fighting tends to spill over In Inns or the town square. Bagley was imprisoned a few times for his rowdy behavior.

"Before you do anything Dreadlord!" Odin shouted. "I must know from Sara Fain's mouth that if she has slain a Paladin?!"

The word of a guard wasn't enough, Odin needed to know from the possible killer that if she was the one defeated the mighty Paladin in combat. In a way, Odin respected her swordsmanship but she has killed a fellow soldier and must face the consequences. They say when a person faces death, the truth often comes out. Sara has nothing to lose either way she will die.

Odin pushed the Dreadlord out of the way before heading for the two dozen soldiers escorting the prisoners. "You there!" Odin shouted at Sara. "I must know! Did you kill my kin! This Dreadlord can not be trusted. I must know from you did you kill a Paladin?"

 

[Selene Avar]

Edgar stepped forward after the Paladin, his figure moving with enough grace that someone might have called him a dancer.

Selene glanced at him, cold, uncaring, but watchful of what he was about to do. His hand came up, fingers curling slightly as though he were about to snap his fingers. Magic welled within him, power that called to her like a beacon.

Lips thinned. "Edgar."

It was the first words she had spoken since they'd gotten onto this platform. The word was firm, hard and immediately caught the other man's attention. His eyes shot to her, and slowly Selene shook her head a single time.

The Paladin could be cowed another day.

Attacking him out here in the open surrounded by thousands would only lead to disaster. While Dreadlord's were feared, even they could not burn entire cities without consequence. Especially one like Vel Luin.

There was a moment of hesitation in Edgar's eyes, a moment of thought, then slowly he nodded his head and took a step back. Selene let out a small breath, her gaze turning towards the end of theplatform and the three captured pirates.

Sena Fain seemed to smirk as the Paladin got closer.

"Kill a Paladin? Ah you must mean Jerick. He was a good man. His death is one I mourn even now." ​

Selene's ears immediately perked up, her entire body stiffened. The woman's voice was a rasp, though it called loud enough for even the Dreadlord's to hear. The Guards stood closely around her, twenty four of them arrayed in such a way that even the Paladin would not be able to easily reach her.

"Why would I kill my closest ally?"
​

That sent a shock through everyone standing nearby.

Selene almost burst out laughing, though somehow managed to keep her face of stone. She had no idea if Sena Fain was lying or not, she likely was, but the accusation was nonetheless amusing. The Dreadlord's stood on the platform still, watching the Paladin's reaction.

One of the Guards broke from the group as the Bell tolled once more, the Baron's official coming up behind the Paladin to speak.

"Sir, you must stand aside. The execution must commence by order of the Baron himself."​

 

[Odin Kemp]

Jerrick? Odin remembered him Jerrick was one of his mentors when he was first sworn in as a Paladin. Odin was a Page in the Paladins trying to earn his armor. Jerrick was the one who taught Odin what it meant to be a Paladin. "You see the armor!" Jerrick would say. "And you think that is what makes a Paladin. No! It is honor and justice is what makes a Paladin! Without honor and integrity what does it mean to be a Paladin? We'll be nothing more than just enhanced killers."

Odin learned a lot from Jerrick and he took him under his wing. It is impossible that Jerrick would be an ally to the likes of a Pirate. "HOW DARE YOU!" Odin roared. More gasps were heard from the ogling crowd as a dozen soldiers stood between Odin and the smirking Pirate. The Baron's guard wisely stepped aside shaking in his armor. "Paladin!" A solider called out to Odin drawing. "Do not do anything brash, we have specific orders by the Baron that the execution-"

"ENOUGH!" Odin said approaching the soldiers. "This is officially Paladin business, this woman will be under Paladin custody! I invoke the law of servitude! Which states that any person who inflicts harm on a Paladin will be subjugated as a servant or captive for the Paladins."

The solider gulped. "I cannot release her to you!" he said. "I advise to you to stand back!"

Odin smirked. "24 against 1," he said. "It's a lopsided in my favor my friend and you know that! As much as I love to fight, I don't wish to harm a fellow soldier besides if you disobey the law then you will be in trouble!"

The guard then glanced at Edgar waiting for orders.

 

[Selene Avar]

Edgar looked indignant, Selene couldn't help but chuckle.

The Paladin had invoked their little law, one that she had always found particularly amusing. Recruiting people on a whim was their right, well, it was more accurate to say recruiting serfs was their right. She'd only seen it done three or four other times before, though never to someone like Fain.

She had to keep herself from laughing.

"You ca-"​

Edgar was about to speak up when he caught himself, glancing at Selene before he even finished and biting his tongue. He was technically in charge, but he knew better. "It does not seem there will be an execution today."

The Dreadlord mused out loud, lending her voice to the situation for the first time.

She knew the law, and she would not have it disobeyed. Not here. The Paladin had a right here, and if Edgar pushed it things could get very nasty. Best to keep that business for outside the cities. One did not want rumors spreading.

"Sir Eleth." She called the name of the Baron's representative, the man who had stepped inside. "Call for the Baron."

Edgar glared at Selene, though said nothing to countermand her. "Have the guards bring The Paladins new recruit to the Keep. I think a...conversation needs to be had."

For a moment Sir Eleth stared around, then made to move towards the Keep.

"Please, come this way Sir Odin..."​

Then he stopped.

"Misstress, you better come as well..."​

His eyes settled on Edgar, and Selene glanced to her partner. A scowl formed on her face, and in the back of her mind she could already sense this would turn to a further mess.

 

[Odin Kemp]

Edgar looked incensed when the red headed woman said there will no execution today. He wanted to carry out the execution huh? Hah! It seems that Dreadlords were capable of emotion after all. Odin was thankful that the red headed woman at least acknowledged the law unlike some Dreadlords who held a passive aggressive contempt for the Paladins.

The red head was cute for a Dreadlord that is she still had that emotionless stare that all Dreadlord possessed but Odin did like her long wavy hair and the way her voice sounded.... "Hey lover boy!" Odin snapped back to reality and glared at Sara Fain who seemed positively smug.

The Law of Servitude was something that was invoked rarely by Paladins. Usually the law was activated when the victim showed sorrow for their actions against a Paladin. It was in the Paladins best interests to show mercy to those who harmed them they are to display empathy as Paladins suppose to present the best of Vel Anir. It wasn't invoked often because of the possible dilemmas it presented like pardoning a family member or lover and several Paladins abused this law in the past.

Odin remembered dealing with riots by the commoners due to the law being invoked. They wanted justice and it was hard to get it when a Paladin is using it for their own interest. Like Odin was doing now "the only reason why you're alive." he said through clenched teeth. "Is because you're hiding something."

"I may be," Sara shrugged. "I may be scum but your Paladin friend Jerrick is not exactly the squeaky clean honorable type."

Odin resisted the urge to punch her in the face, he had no time for this he needed to escort her to the Paladin Stronghold: The base of operations for the Paladins, she'll get interrogated by the GrandKnights and will serve a life of servitude with the Paladins. It was then Edgar requested Odin to come with them.

"What?!" Odin said flabbergasted. "I'm sorry I need to take her to the Paladin Stronghold I-"

"Don't piss them off more than you already did," Sara said smirking.

Odin sighed. "Of course," It was one thing Odin hated, was agreeing with a dishonorable fool like Sara. "Lead the way Edgar." Odin said. He was suspicious of the Dreadlord, what was he hiding was well? Was Jerrick truly a man who swoop to lowly things like what Sara did? All Odin knew was it was about to get worse.

 

[Selene Avar]

Edgar grumbled, but he did as asked. Selene clenched her own teeth, though mostly out of frustration at having to deal with any of this at all.

The Baron’s representative peeled off from the rest of the group and headed directly towards the keep, moving through the crowd as though he could part it at will. The Peasants were, of course, standoffish. They had come to see an execution and weren’t getting it.

Luckily, even the assembled crowd was smart enough to see that beginning a riot here was foolish.

Paladins, Dreadlords, and a gaggle of guards.

Nobody wanted to fight that. Thus, as Selene and the others wandered back towards the Keep the crowd simply moved out of their way. Some offered jeers and insults, but whenever Selene looked they pointedly ran away. Cowards. Eventually the group wandered through the massive gates of the main Keep.

The doors closed behind them, sealing all of them in the massive courtyard of the Baron’s estate. A few Guards stood at every corner, these men decorated in find silks of purple as well as armor. Selene glanced at them, then came to a stop in the center of the open field.

Edgar walked up to her, whispering something in her ear. She frowned a brief moment, then glanced towards the Paladin. She wondered what the Baron would make of all this.

A few moments later, as if her thoughts had summoned him, a great big barrel of a man appeared at the other end of the Courtyard. He moved surprisingly quickly for one of his weight, and his face was stern enough to break rocks.

“WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!”

 

[Odin Kemp]

"Look at the crowd," Sara said amused. "You spoiled the fun now these people will take their pent up anger on some non-human." Odin sighed looking at the grumbling on lookers, Bagley was busy directing the crowd out from the Hangman's Tower. Odin gave his friend a curt nod as the guards gave Odin the chains belonging to the Pirates.

"Just so you know if a pogrom starts later today. The non-human's blood is on your hands." Sara shrugged. "Do you ever shut up?" Odin mumbled through clenched teeth.

Vel Anir has been struggling with pogroms this past year due to bad things happening to the land. Whenever a surprise hailstorm, a disease or whatever out that negatively affects the population of Vel Anir instead of accepting that sometimes things happen, the people create a scapegoat and it's always nonhumans. Beatings, lootings, destruction of property be felled the nonhumans who lived in Vel Anir. Bloody pogroms that had the blood of Elves, Dwarves, Halflings, Orcs spill on the streets.

It became so bad that the Paladins had to come in to maintain order on the streets. Curfews were issued and those who harmed nonhumans were dealt swiftly by the Paladins. Though they did place humanity first, Paladins weren't the type who would let wonton cruelty happen to any other species but not all followed this as some Paladins often look the other way. Odin frowned while he pulled the prisoners behind them, right now the crowd will have to get their fill some other time. He trusted the guards will make sure that there will be no riots.

Odin thought about Jerrick and the possibility of him being a criminal. He wanted to think that Jerrick died an honorable man and what he did was foolish. But still of all people would Jerrick: Considered to be a Knight in Shining Armor of all aspring to follow possibly conversing with the likes of a Pirate? Once again Odin's impulsiveness got him in trouble. He's been struggling with it ever since he was a child and it's still followed Odin even when he became a Paladin.

Odin looked up and frowned when they entered Baron's Estate. A big, portly man waddled towards the Dreadlords and Odin and yelled at them. "My lord," Odin said forcing smile. "I apologize for causing a lot of drama but this Pirate claims that the Paladin she has slain is actually her partner. Given the attacks on our naval fleet lately, I invoked the Law of Servitude to question her."

 

[Selene Avar]

The Baron set his jaw and stared at the Paladin, clearly displeased with hearing the news. His eyes wandered over the odd gathering of folk, gaze lingering on the two Dreadlords for a moment as he began speaking to them in the same tone he'd addressed the Paladin.

"You couldn't stop this? Eh? This was supposed to be a simple execution, get the people some blood so they calm down."

Vel Luin was like most cities under the yoke of Vel Anir. A deep xenophobia ran through both commoner and nobility, something that Four of the Seven Great Houses were attempting to change. Selene doubted that it ever would, if only because the thoughts were so deeply rooted. The people needed someone to blame. It would have been the Pirates, but now?

Well now it might even be the Paladins.

The crowd demanded blood. "The Law was invoked, Baron."

Selene spoke in a firm tone, the Baron stiffening slightly as she answered him. Technically speaking he stood above her in rank, but politically speaking there was little he could do to her. Selene was sworn to House Virak, one of the three Great Houses that controlled Vel Luin.if the Baron did anything to her, Virak could do any number of things that would make life unpleasant for the man.

They both knew that.

A moment of silence hanging in the air, the Baron reaching up to scratch at his bears.

"Fine. Question here, but do it here. I don't want to chance the crowd."

No, best not to. Selene shifted and turned to walk away, only for the Baron to clear his throat.

"Dreadlord Avar will accompany you."

Fingers scrunched into a fist, lips thinning as she turned around and glared at the Noble. She did not want to be part of this. The pirate mattered little to her, and the honor of the Paladin even less. She opened her mouth to object, but then quickly received a glance from Edgar. This time he was the one to temper her. Funny. "Very well."

She agreed through gritted teeth.

 

[Odin Kemp]

Odin frowned when the Baron told him to question the prisoners in his estate with a DREADLORD accompanying. "But my lord," Odin said. "I am to question Sara Fain in the Paladin Stronghold. She has committed a crime against my kin I-"

"There's nothing in your Law of Servitude that says that you must interrogate prisoners in your stronghold." The Baron said through clenched teeth. "It says that you have the right override any sentence to a prisoner IF they harm a Paladin in the process of committing a crime or if harming the Paladin is the crime. It says nothing about interrogation just that the criminal will spend the rest of their lives serving the Paladins."

Odin nodded. "That is correct," he said gulping wondering what the Baron is getting at.

"Ser Odin," the fat Baron waddled over to Odin. Though Odin is taller than the Baron, he felt very small at the moment. "Is there any proof of whatever this prisoner did that made you invoke the law."

Beads of sweat began to form around Odin's brow he began to clasp his hands and twiddle his thumbs. A habit Odin did whenever he felt nervous. From the corner of his eye, he saw Sara looking as though she was holding a laugh. "The prisoner claims that Ser Jerrick is her ally."

The Baron's face was expressionless. "The Pirate?" He said without emotion. "Said that Ser Jerrick one of the greatest Knights in Vel Anir history is secretly her accomplice in her numerous raids of our royal navy? You invoked the Law because over her word?"

Odin wished he was back at the tavern.

The Baron sighed. "Paladins," he said shaking his head. "Always placing honor and glory over reason. It's what got a lot of you killed at the Lairë Fields during the Fifth Elven War."

Odin shuddered at the thought of Laire Fields it was where 31 Paladins died 110 years ago. All of them were legendary Knights of Vel Anir including the Rodrick Osric: The Black Prince. He was next in line for the crown and was the model of the perfect King for Vel Anir. He was just, brave, kind and merciful and he was a great Paladin. He was slain by the Elven terrorist: Irithiel during a 1 on 1 duel and had his head placed on a spike. Laire Fields was a humiliating defeat for the Vel Anir and definitely the Paladins who saw their once invincible reputation slowly fade away.

"Paladins and Dreadlords," The Baron grumbled. "Reckless barbarians and Emotionless husks. Your organizations represent Vel Anir's finest. Yet to tell you the truth the people and nobility are afraid of both of you."

"Afraid?!" Odin said taken aback. "Why would they be afraid of a Paladin? One who is sworn to protect the City?!"

"Tensions between you two are high," The Baron said. "There are some concerns among the nobility that you two will start a war against each other over some pettiness."

The fat man then stared at Selene Avar. "Don't give me that blank stare Lady Avar," he growled. "I've heard of the reports of Dreadlords undermining Paladin operations and vice versa! It'll be hard for Vel Anir to a united Kingdom with our best soldiers at each others throats."

Odin stared at Selene frowning, he personally couldn't careless about her and the Dreadlords. They can take care of themselves. For Odin as long as the Dreadlords stay out of his way especially during battle, they'll be just fine.

"Which is why this is a perfect opportunity for a joint operation between the two organizations." The Baron said. "You still serve the people especailly the nobility."

Odin nodded. "Yes of course," he said. "But I have my reservations with this..... witch."

"I don't care," The Baron said. "This is a chance to raise public morale and to prove to the higher-ups that when Vel Anir is in danger that you two will rise to the challenge. I don't know if this Pirate speaks the truth. Start questioning her in my dungeon and go from there."

Odin bowed to the Baron and smiled. "I will do as you command my lord," he said.

"Now go," The Baron grumbled. "I need to quickly set up another execution to quell the crowd. We've had 3 pogroms in Vel Anir this past month I don't want Vel Luin to be the 4th. Rodrick will guide you to the dungeons."

As the Baron left, a skinny man walked in his place. "Ser Odin," he said in a quiet voice. "Lady Avar follow me."

 

[Selene Avar]

Selene didn’t particularly care about what the Baron said, nor the Paladin. To her this was all rather inconsequential. The men standing in front of her were fools if they thought any of this mattered.

As the Baron continued on his tirade Selene only listened, her face listless. Eventually the man stopped, half turning to step away before she spoke softly. ”Be careful not to make assumptions, Baron. They can be dangerous.”

Selene saw rage in the man’s eyes after she spoke, but that didn’t matter. He was nothing in the grand scheme, and he’d gone too far.

The Dreadlord’s would not rebel or fight anyone of their own volition, not together anyway. To think of them as an organization with singular drive and purpose was to reveal ones ignorance. The Baron was certainly ignorant. There was as much politics among her kind as there was in Vel Anir itself. Different Dreadlords swore themselves to different Houses.

Their loyalty was not to each other, but to the Great House they served.

Sure, some among their rank undermined the Paladins, but most of the time it was for one political purpose or another. Selene herself had done it before at the behest of House Virak. Just about the only way the Dreadlords would go to war with the Paladins was if it was ordered by the Great Houses.

Some like Edgar would gladly slaughter them all of course, but the Archons would never allow it. Too foolish.

For a few moments the Dreadlord lingered in the square, sharing a look with Edgar that was more than a little considering.

Then, after enough time had passed she made a subtle motion with her hand towards the other Dreadlord. There was a curt nod from the other man, and then Selene followed after the Paladin.

 

[Odin Kemp]

"Don't take me for an idiot Lady Avar," The Baron snorted with contempt. "Your sad devotion to House Virak will earn you nothing. You Dreadlords cling on to one of the Seven Houses in hopes that you'll climb your way to nobility. You scheme and backstab your way but at the end of the day Lady Avar your just a weapon one that serves not only the interests of House Virak but the people Vel Anir as well."

To say that Vel Anir is full of ambitious backstabbers would be an understatement. To Odin, as bad as the pogroms were it paled in comparison to the never ending grand game that is played amongst the nobles. Marriage alliances are formed then broken, "mysterious" deaths, quarrelling over lands providing precious materials for their trade.

Odin Kemp is of noble birth, House Kemp in particular while a relativity wealthy and respected House didn't often take part in the "grand game" they were a family of Knights and Warriors sworn to serve Vel Anir. "Sworn to Honor" was their family words and one that Odin kept to heart when he joined the Paladins. "Ser Odin," the Baron said. Odin was following the servant to the dungeons when his name was called. The Paladin craned his head his dark blue eyes examining the nobles now reddened face.

"Talking exhausts him," Odin thought bemused. "Perhaps he needs to lay off the lemon cakes."

"I trust that this commotion you've caused will end up with results," The Baron said. "If not then I will have a word with your superiors your reckless use of the Law."

"A Paladin's intuition is usually correct my lord," Odin said. "Dreadlord Avar and I will work diligently to get to the bottom of this."

"Hey come on!" Sara Fain rolled her eyes seemingly bored of it all. "Are you going to interrogate me? Or no? I hear you Dreadlords are master interrogators. It'll be fun trying penetrate my mind."

Odin raised an eyebrow. "You're very excited about this," he said.

"Bah! All this politicking is making me bored!" She replied yawning. "Truth be told I much rather be hung then listen to little Miss Cuntface threatening an overstuffed Pig."

Odin had to hold a laugh.

The Baron sighed heavily "Stewart!" he called turning on his heel meeting another servant. "Which prisoners are scheduled for execution today?"

The servant infront of Selene Odin cleared his throat trying to get their attention.

"Please follow me," he said curtly.

 

[Selene Avar]

Selene made a mental note.

The Baron had just insulted herself, The Dreadlords, and House Virak all in one go. He would have to die. Annoying as it was, nobles were constantly of the opinion that their positions were always safe and secure, that they could do as they pleased without consequence.

They were wrong.

Privilege was never quite what it was made out to be in Vel Anir, and the Baron had far overstepped himself when he’d badmouthed House Virak. One did not speak ill of one of the Seven Great Houses. Particularly not in the presence of it’s emissary.

Still, that was to be for later. The Baron’s death could wait until after this little task was complete.

Without another word Selene walked with the others towards the dungeons, wandering behind Sena Fain and the Paladin until eventually they were lead to an interrogation chamber. Someone placed the Pirate into a chair, binding her in place a few moments later.

”Well.” Selene beckoned the Paladin just out of Sena’s earshot. ”She is your servant.”

Selene would let Odin begin the questioning.

She did not know what he wanted asked after all and it would be better to observe until she got a fuller picture. This wad the Paladins interrogation, not her own. Besides, her own means were generally...untoward.

The Dreadlord did not want to start another incident.