[RPG][FEI] Tournament Troubles

[Bob]

[META: Lots of players RP'd this, I'm just combining it in chronological
order. The setting is the Osaliel Tournament, beginning of Summer, in the
tavern. It doesn't cover the whole tournament and is mostly from my
character Maltheo's view, since the tavern-discussions end when he leaves
and begin when he enters. I've not changed much, except formatting, and
adding a "he said" here and there.]

"Ahh, Osaliel. How I remember the days. Who is Duke of this city now, I
wonder?" Maltheo said aloud.

Cid replied, "If I'm not mistaken Prime Minister Conan currently holds the
position."

Maltheo: "Ah! Then I am glad to know that Prime Minister Conan doesn't have
to worry about his Duke voting for anyone but he. That was, if I recall
correctly, a major concern of his in the past..."

"Matheo you can let sleeping dogs lie or we will have to take this outside
and have a fight. Now which one will it be?" came the voice of NLaw.

Maltheo: "Oh, I certainly do not intend to wake any dogs here, NLaw. In
fact, I mean only to express my relief that the complications and
difficulties that arose from free-minded Dukes in Soliferum no longer slight
or malign this fair and pleasant realm."

NLaw: "I can tell when people are making fun of a realm. and that is what
you are doing. Just because a duke in the old days revolted does not mean
that he had better beliefs then we did. He was just power hungery just like
the rest of your lot."

Maltheo: "Making fun, I am not. I get no enjoyment or amusement from simply
commenting on the change in times. But as for your historical digression,
'twas not the revolt of Dukes I was referring to at all."

NLaw: "Well if you speak the truth then cme on over here and I will buy you
a round of ale. For the fighting will happen later during the tournament."

Maltheo: "To lie would dishonour the dead, NLaw, and that is something I
have neither need nor want to do. Let us drink, then. To Osaliel and to the
tournament!"

Then came the voice of Renquest behind him. "Maltheo, our Duke was killed on
his way home from his trip up North, This Tournament is in his honour, If
you wish to disrespect our Lnads or our fallen Duke then you will be
returning to the only realm that has'nt kicked you out yet, in a wooden box!
Mind your tounge you vile Serpent, least you wish to have me loose my
manners, Your not at home........ So it behooves you to behave a bit more."

*Renquest then walks towards the bar to order another round of drinks,but
stops and turns back towards Maltheo once more*. "Your bitterness is
starting to get the best of you, and trust me, your best is in short supply,
so let this be your own warrning from me, one more insult and this will be
your last tourny."

* Maltheo starts to speak, but Renquest cuts him off*. "That was NOT a
threat..... It's a promise."

Maltheo shrugged. "Renquest, only an idiot would presume I was even talking
about your fallen Duke. And you, sir, are that idiot."

Nzer Jr, piping up: "Maltheo, why did you even show up here? Last time you
were in Osaliel we made it very clear that you were not, welcome, wanted or
needed within these walls. Next time I see you it will be with my poisoned
dagger sticking in your side, I assure you."

Maltheo: "Nzer Junior, the last time I was in Osaliel, Maximus and I were
doing a trade deal. It seems that perhaps you feel I am welcome, as long as
I am adding to the wealth of Soliferum, and threatened with cowardly
assassination when I am daring to speak my mind? Pfah!"

Nzer Jr: "That is not a threat Maltheo, but you will see that soon enough."

MAXIMUS see's the tention building and he stands and orders a round of
drinks.

"Come now, lets not insualt our fine Dukes memory with all of this, We all
know what Maltheo is and what his history is here in Osaliel. Lord Maltheo,
come and have a drink, it may just save your life, or atleast postpone your
death for a short while."

MAXIMUS hands Maltheo a drink and walks him away from Renquest and Nzer Jr.

Maltheo nodded, seeing that Maximus was perhaps the wisest in this case.

"I accept the drink," he said curtly. "But as for my death, it is
inevitable, as it is with everyone."

He paused, then asked, "What was this fallen Duke's name?"

Sitting in a corner alone but still watching the happenings going on in the
taveren, Jebadia draws a cutlass that he had carried every since he took it
off of a pirate local lord near Zonasa, he readied it for action just in
case.

Jebadia: "CUT that Cowards heart out Nzer!" Jebadia stood as he shouted. "Go
ahead Renquest! End his worthless life now, who will care, I sure wont!"

Nzer Jr replied: "Jebadia you shoud know that patiences is a virtue. I have
all the time in the world. Vengence is a dish best served cold."

To which Jebadia said: "Aye, yes I do like to serve a cold meal every now an
again."

Walking past his drunk and angry brother, MAXIMUS speaks with Maltheo:
"Surely you remember Duke Diaramesis, he was murdered, but we have the man
responsibile for this crime in our dungeons"

Maltheo bowed his head. "Ah, Diaremesis," he said sorrowfully. "I remember
him well. The loss of such a lord does all harm."

He raised his glass. "Then I shall drink not only to the tournament in his
honour, and the City he was Lord of, but to him as well. May he find peace
in the after-life."

Jebadia throws the drink bought by Maltheo to the floor and spits at
it."First you insult all Dukes of Soliferum and now you try to honour
one! You
are as spinless as a jellyfish! Save your gold! I will buy my own drinks."

Maltheo glares at Jebadia. "Then it is you, not I, who dishonors the dead.
Be it on your conscience and not mine."

He turned around. "Is there no one here who will honour Duke Diaremesis, in
whose name this tournament is held?"

He thought to himself, *This place hasn't changed one bit.**
*
Fredrick spoke: "I'd like to see Renquest run Maltheo through, or perhaps I
could have a turn first? Such pathetic men are always the loudest, I think
he'd fit in nicely with the pirates."

As Fredrick finishes shaking his head, he looks up to see Sir Scion enter
the tavern. One of the first larger names from Nighthelm he's actually seen
arrive, Fredrick notices something off about him but he can't place it...
Slowly continuing his drink he watches the man as he moves out of the corner
of his eye.

Maltheo again only shrugged, overhearing Frederick's remarks. He put down
his drink and turned, his arms wide. "Then come do it, man. Spill blood
whilest pretending to honour your fallen Duke. Prove what a noble knight you
are by committing murder. Or are you nought but another drunk, full of tough
talk and beer-farts?"

Nzer Jr: "Matheo, you will get yours after the tournament. I promise you. Do
not be in such a hurry to taste my blade."

Fredrick tuns his gaze back to Maltheo and smiles slightly. "I agree with
Nzer, don't be in such a hurry to die, your time will come soon. I think it
would be an honour to him if I ended your pathetic life, I'm surprised such
a noble realm lets you reside there, let alone hold station. Besides, it's
only murder if anybody considers you human, you're more like a mangy animal
that's lived too long and needs to be put down."

"I see," Maltheo said, and gave an amused wink. "Later. As in, perhaps when
I am asleep, so you can sneak up on me. Such nobility! Is this what
Soliferum has become - nothing but a pack of barroom brawlers?"

He spat on the floor at Frederick's feet. "Common murderers fantasizing
about where they can stick their blades!"

Nzer Jr: "Order your guards to stand down then and stay up until I arrive. I
don't care how it happens Maltheo, but I will stick you with my sword."

"Then go ahead and do it, Nzer," Maltheo said. Oh, how this galled him. Not
even a shred of nobility was evident here to him. "Go ahead and commit your
murder. A real man doesn't need to talk long and try to intimidate those he
plans on killing. You'll either do it or you'll shut up. Frankly, I don't
even care which one you choose."

He turned and left the tavern, no longer interested in drinking in such
company.

-

At his own tent, Maltheo had time to cool off and reflect on his teachings.
He imagined what Diaremesis might have to say on the matter and couldn't do
it. In truth, though they'd served under the same government, he never
really knew the man.

He thought briefly of trying to hold Communion, but shook the thought away.
Communion was not for anytime one wanted to hear the opinion of someone who
was dead... was it? And it wouldn't change the problems now posed by the two
- or three - Soliferum nobles who now wanted him dead.

He sighed. Such changes had occured, yet coming here to the city he once
lorded over - to the realm he very nearly was able to save from separation
and tyranny - brought the memories back. And he didn't pity himself - Olwe's
words had sunken in quickly, shaming him and correcting him - but he did
feel a great sadness, knowing that Batesaor had been conquered by such
individuals as would threaten a man's life for nothing.

There was ikrif <http://wiki.battlemaster.org/index.php/ikrif> in the city,
but he didn't bother seeking it out, nor had he brought his own. Still, he
found himself craving it, and not for good or pure reasons. His body craved
it, just as it craved the physical challenges of swordfighting, soldiering,
of hardship and pain.

He set up a couple of dummies and spent time training. He worked up a good
sweat, and his mind became focused on his swordplay. But he was unable to
fully relax, and for the first time since finding
Communionism<http://wiki.battlemaster.org/index.php/Communionism>he
began wondering what he, or anyone, could do to free the peoples of
the
southlands.

-

After seeing Maltheo leave the taveren where the many competitors gathered
and share in drinks and comradery, he felt a bit sorry for the once
honourable man,

Maltheo once was though of very highly by Renquest, this man served
Soliferum seemingly without reguard for himself, but what caused him to
change,

Or was it all just a farse to begain with, had Maltheo always been this
bitter angry twisted liitl man that he seems to be now?

Renquest sat and nursed his drink as he blotted out the many things going on
around him, his mind was locked in Maltheo.

Was Maltheo one that was in cahoots with Anwnn all along? Could he have been
seeking away to gain control of Soliferum and this is why he is so bitter
now? Can her truely hate the Light and the Freedom that is Soliferum?

Renquest went from feeling sorry for Maltheo to being enraged with him

Maltheo had to know that his slights against Soliferum and it's leadership
would cause troubles for him, why would he do that, I cant feel sorry for
him, he brought this scorning on himself....... But Why, why would he so
that?

Renquest just sat there staring into his drink, thinking to himself, not
saying a word.


-- 
~b
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