Dreadlords Forgotten Slights

[Marcella]

It surprised even Marcie that both of her fellow initiates were so supportive. For once she’d spoken for the group and no one had managed to groan or immediately scold her.

For certain it was because it was the best idea, not because there was a noble and a Guardsman present. Of course, the Guardsman went on to say that they couldn’t just kill the guy but certainly there was room for self defense.

Lord Ildren was a powerful man and this Orchid Knight had essentially kidnapped his daughter.

He deserved to die. ”We will find Mr. Arren and make sure he never gets anywhere near her ever again, sir!” All they needed was a location from the Guard.

She was going to make a great Dreadlord one day.

 

[Lothar]

The Lieutenant offered all three Initiates a dubious look.

It was clear that this entire enterprise was something he didn't approve of. Whether that was the fault of the Noble or the three Initiate's he'd been saddled with was hard to tell though. After a moment the man shook his head. "He's a tournament man."

The Guardsmen explained.

"Known for doing well in the melee, best in Vel Faen they say." Lothar had no frame for whether or not that was impressive. Initiate's generally did not get to compete in tournament and unlike some of his more martial comrades he had no interest in them. "The Stumbling Pony is fairly popular with that crowd."

He said. "You might find him there."

Though by the way the Lieutenant looked at them, it was clear he doubted it.

Still, it was a lead. "Thank you, Lieutenant, we'll find him."

 

[Aelita]

Aelita’s eyes squinted as she heard Marcella’s voice.

Then after the Lieutenant finished talking, Aelita took a deep breath in between Lothar’s words.

“Thank you, sir,” Aelita replied to the Lieutenant as a smile returned to her face.

With no further questions and once the rest of the trio got all their can from the Lieutenant, Aelita marched out the barracks in silence.

As the group journeyed down the road, toward the Stumbling Pony unless there were objections, Aelita would ask allowed with her head forward, “Len... looked like an elf, right?”

 

[Marcella]

Marcella saw the smile that Aelita bore for the Lieutenant, though she assumed it was actually aimed at her. Lothar looked pleased too. It was great to finally be working in a team that didn't immediately shove her face into the mud any time she spoke.

The Stumbling Pony sounded like a bar. The healing initiate hated those places, filled with too much loud noise and foul smells.

"Yeah, she had those pointy ears in the photo I think," to be frank, Marcella couldn't even remember what the woman looked like but elves had pointy ears, "and a very elf-like face."

That sounded convincing enough, the Pony wasn't too far away either so hopefully she wouldn't get called out.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar nodded in answer along with Marcella. "She is a half-elf, I think."

It stood to reason, anyway. If Lord Ildren was her father then her mother was probably an elf. How such a woman had come about the Initiate couldn't have guessed. He knew the…mechanics, obviously, but how Lord Ildren had managed to sire and then somehow apparently raise a half-elf child in Vel Anir?

That was a most curious question.

They had been taught their whole lives that Elves were reprehensible, awful, creatures. Those that had nearly burned Vel Anir, the ancient enemy of humanity.

Why would a noble want to fraternize with anything like that?

As they made their way the sun overhead was beginning to dip towards the horizon. The lights sky above turned a bright orange, and the music of several taverns and restaurants began to ring out in the street. Up ahead the Stumbling Pony came into view, it's front decorated with a sign that appeared to have a two legged horse half fallen. .

 

[Aelita]

“Fun,” Aelita flatly replied as her two comrades confirmed that Len is indeed an elf.

Eventually, the trio reached the Stumbling Pony. The lively tune of a lute could be heard from within along with a crowd of tavern-goers talking, cheering, and drinking.

Aelita entered the tavern. The patrons seemed to be the typical commoner – rough looks, rough clothes. Sweat stains all over their shirts. Some wearing armor of some type – mercenaries. A few elves could be seen, but none with red hair stood out to Aelita.

As she looked around the bar, Aelita said, “Arren seemed like a romantic knight wannabe.”

Then with a mischievous grin, Aelita turned her eyes toward Lothar and asked him, “You think he’d appear if anyone challenged him for Len’s hand?”

 

[Marcella]

Entering the Stumbling Pony (gods this town named everything after ponies) was a bizarre experience. In most Anirian cities the clientele all looked the same. Clearly human, clearly having a good time.

Here it was a bit different. They were all still having a good time but there were more than a few pointed ears and the pointed ears were conversing with the normal ears.

”Someone should declare their love for Len.”

It made the most sense. Marcella gave a look towards Lothar just after Aelita did. Then she shifted her eyes towards an empty chair as she imagined the boy standing up to shout, to the entire tavern, his love for a half-elf woman he’d yet to meet.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar blinked. "That might work."

The young Initiate said, seemingly unaware of what Aelita and Marcella were suggesting. A hand came up to scratch at his chin.

"But where are we going to find someone to challenge for her hand?" If Aelita had this thought earlier they could have grabbed one of the Guardsmen at the Barracks. Most of them had looked fit and fine enough. Though he supposed that would have expanded the circle of people who knew about this debacle. "Perhaps we can pay one of the patrons."

He suggested.

They still had some of the coin they were given, and someone paid did not have to think about the why. They just had to do as they were told.

It was then that Lothar noticed both of his fellow Initiates looking at him. He frowned for a moment, then looked from Aelita to Marcella, noting their silence. A frown pulled at his lips, and then he suddenly realized. Head instantly shaking. "No, I don't think-that's not a good idea."

 

[Aelita]

A slight wince occurred on Aelita’s face as she heard Marcella’s words once again. When she heard Lothar’s answer, Aelita shook her head.

“Fine then,” she told Lothar as she stepped up to the bar.

SLAM

With a smile, Aelita placed a silver coin before a middle-aged man sipping on a pint of ale. He looked over with a startled look on his face.

“If you can answer my question, I’ll pay for your drinks,” Aelita claimed as she tapped a finger on the coin.

“Yeh, sure,” was his reply.

With a bit of volume to her voice, Aelita asked, “Do you know how to get a message to Leonard Arren?”

 

[Marcella]

"I think it'd work." Marcella didn't get to elaborate as Aelita took matters into her own hands. They'd been fortunate enough to sit close enough to the bar that they could overhear the entire thing.

As soon as the blonde initiate spoke the name Leonard Arren the man began a hearty guffaw.

"Yeh, the card den," he eyed a room towards the back corner of the tavern, "he'll cheat you out of your money real quick, lass."

The middle aged man attempted to drag the silver coin in front of him while simultaneously signaling to the bartender for another pint. Regardless of what happened next with the man Marcie crooked an eyebrow.

Turning her attention back towards Lothar and lowering her voice. "Why is he swindling people in the card den?"

Perhaps he was trying to raise enough money to run off with Len. It would all be very romantic if they weren't assigned the important task of killing Leonard Arren. At least, Marcella was pretty sure they were supposed to kill the Knight of Orchids.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar watched the small exchange for a brief moment, regarding Marcella with a slight frown. ”Maybe he needs the coin to run away with Len.”

He suggested.

Lord Ildren had implied that the man was of lower station. If he was a noble he’d had no reason to gamble, so it made sense that he would have to rely on other means. Card games, Lothar supposed, were a good enough means. Particularly if This Leonard fellow was actually good at them.

Frowning for a moment, Lothar didn’t wait for Aelita to turn on his heel and walk over towards the card den.

Located in the back of the tavern, the little ‘den’ was actually just a large booth. Claimed as the card den mostly because the table was the biggest in the whole tavern, thus there was room both for the game and patrons drinks.

Four men currently made their home at the table and along with them sat a woman. She was a human, clearly marking her as not Len, though the men might have been Leonard. One of the men was blonde, another brunette, the third had a shaved head, and then curiously enough an Elf joined them as well.

At least a half-elf, Lothar figured. ”Is one of you the Knight of Orchards?”

Lothar asked with a surprising calmness in his tone, all five people at the table immediately turning their heads to look at him. It was the blonde one that spoke up. “Why might you be looking for him, lad?”

 

[Aelita]

“Thank you,” Aelita told the man as she left the coin on the counter.

By the time Aelita turned around, she saw Lothar halfway to the card den. She afforded a glance toward Marcella.

“Let’s go,” she told Marcella with a flat tone.

Aelita approached the booth just as Lothar asked his question. She took a look at each of the four people sitting down. A smile on her face, of course.

When the blonde man asked his question, Aelita stepped up.

“Leonard Arren has unjustly taken another’s woman!” she loudly proclaimed, “If he has any honor, he’ll accept this challenge for her hand!”

 

[Marcella]

Wow. What a juicy tidbit of gossip! Len had a secret lover that Aelita had found out about. What's more, this secret lover wanted to challenge the Orchid Knight's honor. When they got back to the academy Marcella would have to fill Lumen in on every detail of this story.

"That's right, the Knight of Orchestras has besmirched the good name of Lady Len."

Lothar calling him the Knight of Orchards had thrown Marcie off completely but luckily she was here to fill in for the team and keep these names straight. She'd just have to pester Aelita later about the details of this mystery lover.

"Who?" the man with the shaved head asked in a tone that suggested he was as unaware of this fact as Aelita.

The Dreadlord Initiate puffed out her chest. "It's a very romantic tale." At least, she hoped it was.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar's head immediately whirled towards Aelita, balking at her words for a brief moment. He was unsure if her intent was to fold her earlier idea into the situation or not, but it didn't really matter at this point. Marcie chipped in, and by then the train was rolling away.

Turning back to the card sharks the young Initiate nodded. "Yes. Very romantic. Where is Leonard? We have to issue the...challenge."

Lothar spoke slowly, not quite sure if he was the one issuing the challenge, or if Aelita was, or if it was being offered by some mystery man they simply represented. Whatever it was didn't really matter he supposed, as long as they found Arren and Len.

The men at the table, for their part, all looked at one another mightily unimpressed. Most of them apparently not moved by the story of love and loss.

"Well, lad." Finally one of the Brunette's answered. "He ain't here, but I can pass him word if ye like."

One step closer, Lothar supposed. "Yes, please tell him to come meet this challenge. It is very important..."

He trailed off, then added. "For love."

 

[Aelita]

Aelita’s eyebrow slightly rose when she heard Marcella call Leonard by the wrong “title.” But that quickly faded away as Lothar took the ball and kept talking.

The unimpressed look from the men was noticed. Aelita tilted her head as she took a deep breath in through her nose.

Stepping forth, Aelita bore an apparent face of rage and bellowed, “And honor! He’ll answer for taking my woman, or I’ll overturn this city to hunt. Him. Down!”

Aelita still wore her normal armor before these men. Her staff sat strapped in on her back.

Dressed as a warrior. Dressed to kill, literally.

 

[Marcella]

"It is so, so, very important." Marcella echoed Lothar's words just before Aelita steeled herself and revealed...

She was the secret lover all along!? How painful it must have been for Aelita to learn of the Knight of Orchids, to see a photo of her dear, beloved, Len and know that she'd been held in some man's arms. Truthfully, Marcie had never had a gay friend, or really any friend, but now she was happy to be here for Aelita.

Placing a gentle hand upon Aelita's back she silently whispered, "it's ok, we will make sure Arren pays for the foul thing he's done."

Those at the card den were stupefied by this latest revelation as they all simply sat there staring at the trio. Marcella had already decided what the Knight of Orchids fate would be once they found him.

She would make him suffer for what he had done and then Aelita would finally respect her.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar's head slowly turned towards Aelita.

Briefly, he wondered how it was that he had been the one to be bullied. Out of the three of them apparently he was the only one with any common sense. Though, to Aelita's credit, it wasn't like two women being in love was unheard of in Vel Anir.

Most people didn't tend to care about that sort of thing. "Y-yeah."

Lothar added as the men at the table stared at the three Initiates.

"Listen, just tell him to meet us outside of town for a duel." Lothar said, doing his best to expadite this process before Marcella or Aelita could say anything else that would make this whole thing more ridiculous. "In front of that statue a mile out."

They had passed a massive fallen monument of some sort of elf on the away here. Not too far from the city, but enough that it would at least give them a chance to deal with Leonard, bag Len, and hopefully get back to Vel Faen before anything else could happen.

 

[Aelita]

Aelita continued to stare down the seated men. She barely moved except to shrug off Marcella’s hand when her comrade touched her.

The same brown-haired man that answered early finally said, “Yeh, we’ll let him know.”

Upon hearing that, Aelita turned around with a sharp movement and walked out of the Stumbling Pony. She got a few glances toward her direction due to her earlier words.

With a crack of her knuckles, Aelita said, “At least that should get his curiosity.”

And with that, Aelita began the journey to the statue.

 

[Marcella]

"Aelita," Marcella said after a few moments of silence as the trio made their way towards the statue outside of town, "I just want you to know that I think it was very brave of you to confess your love back there."

Marcie was certain that such a thing would've been hard for anyone. Even harder to have found out about someone you loved being with another as part of a mission.

She hadn't quite pieced together how Len and Aelita would've met at all but that wasn't important.

With a confident strut the healer added, "not far now from the fallen statue." Vel Faen really wasn't much to write home about but the collapsed statue a mile outside of the town was such an obvious landmark that even she had noticed it on the ride in.

 

[Lothar]

Oh.

Marcella really was a moron.

Lothar wondered how he'd never noticed that before, though he'd never much interacted with her before this mission. Outside her being used as an instrument of torture upon him, but in those sessions the two of them had never much had a chance for...conversation.

He glanced over towards Aelita for a brief moment, wondering if she was thinking the exact same thing.

It didn't matter in the end, of course, but it was rather eye opening.

"Just around the bend really." Lothar remarked with a nod, the head of the fallen statue coming into view not soon after. The three Initiates would find themselves a spot to wait, and at the appointed time the sound of hooves began to echo out.

Upon the same path that they had earlier tread, a Knight appeared. Wearing full armor that had clearly been crafted by a masterful hand, the figure rode up to the open field in front of the statue, calling out to the trio.

"Which of you fools besmirches the name of my beloved?!"​

The man called, his voice masked slightly by the helmet on his head.

 

[Aelita]

“What?” Aelita spat out at Marcella after her words. A bit of contempt flashed from her face. She did not glance over to Lothar as he did to her.

With a shake of her head, Aelita wiped away any sign of displeasure and continued onward toward the statue.

The statue itself a good five meters tall, base included. It depicted an Anirian hero of local fame – Badurad the Liberator.

Then, a knight arrived. Aelita’s head tilted at the sight of the ornate armor. Eyes narrowed.

When the knight asked for his challenger, Aelita stepped forth. She drew her staff.

“Isn’t it you who brings dishonor?” Aelita declared with a maniac smile, “To not even show your face to I... Badura the Good, here to reclaim my dearest’s honor!”

 

[Marcella]

Aelita was obviously too pained to talk about it further and, being the good friend she was, Marcella didn’t press the topic any more.

She tensed up as the knight announced his arrival but confusion quickly colored her face as Aelita assumed a false name.

Oh. It had all been an act.

The blonde light-manipulator was clearly an amazing actress to slip that charade past Marcie.

She took a glance towards Lothar and nodded, readying herself to use her magic. All she needed to do was simply touch the knight while he was distracted in his duel with Aelita.

”Alright Lothar,” she whispered, ”let’s kill him.” The instructions from the nobleman had been quite clear.

 

[Lothar]

Lothar glanced over at Marcella for a brief moment once more, raising a single eyebrow. The girl was out of her fucking mind. Apparently lying was against the Dreadlord code, but killing someone in a duel of honor was acceptable?

Who had taught her these lessons.

Not that he necessarily disagreed. Killing the Knight would probably be the fastest way to get this all done with, but they needed the girl first. "Better to capture him."

He reminded Marcella. "We need to find Len still, and if she founds out he's dead she might make a run for it."

Not something they wanted.

"You make a mockery of me, madame! You have no honor! What is your name! I demand it for a challenge has been issued, and you are no Badura!" The Knight said, brandishing his lance. "Tell me now, or I shall lay you low here and now!"

The man's fingers tightened on his reigns, almost as if preparing a charge. "Who sent you here?!"

 

[Aelita]

Just barely, Marcella’s whisper and Lothar’s words reached Aelita. She held her hand behind her as if to ask the two to pause.

Pointing her spear at the knight, Aelita continued to taunt him with, “You not only sullied my beloved, but insult the name my parents gave to me?! And what, you want to charge me down instead of meet me on foot?”

Aelita flipped her staff over. The bladed end pointing up toward the sky as she slammed the blunted end into the stone at her feet.

DING

“I thought I, Badura, challenged a knight of honor. I see only one from the gutter instead. Or, will you face me with dignity?”

 

[Marcella]

"Oh, right, Len." They'd have to wait and kill the orchid knight once they got Len.

But maybe Marcella could just break the man's leg? Earlier that week she'd healed a broken femur. That would hurt like hell and cripple the man, then they could coax the location of his lover easily enough. If they needed more, well, there was a few black eyes in her well of healed damage too. A broken rib, laceration to the chest, she'd find something to torture the man.

Her advance paused though as a hand came up from Aelita.

Marcie just nodded, and watched as the orchid knight either accepted or rejected Aelita's challenge.