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Karn arrived near the two men during what seemed to be a short break in introductions and immediately began to introduce himself. Unsure of the rank of these two knights he decided to make an at least somewhat formal introduction.

"Hello good sirs! I am Sir Karn Strom, heir apparrent to the Lord Draemon Strom, the crimson lion, and man at arms to our true lord King Henri."

Bowing as he mentioned the king Karn then proceeded, "May i beg the honour of your company while we await our true summons on this day?"

Karn tried to make sure he wasnt blushing, even after countless lesson he still felt so out of place when attempting to speak formally. As he awaited a reply he noticed the first man with some note spread on the table in front of the second and wondered what sort of dealings he may have stepped in on.

Karn had been listening to each of the other knights and as Drewson spoke about how he had become a knight it made Karn think of his own story...as of recently however; he wasnt sure what his story was...

                          3 months ago,

                         The Castle in the Mountain

Karn walked down the cold stone hall toward Lord Strom's chambers. Torches lit the halls at distinct intervals, enough to light you way and cast light upon the sparse decorations such as drapes ,that depicted great battles, or the hides of animals but still causing shadows to dance all around. 

After entering the room a servant quickly left and closed the doors behind them. Lord Strom stood in a far corner leaning over a desk, a large direwolf cloak hung across his shoulders in a way that caused its in tact face to appear snarling. As Karn approached, Strom turned and a fleeting smile was replaced with a stern look. "Sit down boy, we have important things to discuss".

Karn's eyes lingered on Strange for a time. The man certainly seemed to be holding something back though he couldn't be sure what. Before he could ask another question, Drewson had begun playing a jolly tune that drowned out any further murmuring in the immediate area.

Once the song was finished the other two knights began to converse with Strange about possible meetings and acquaintances but Karn focused on a single phrase that Strange had said. "Melee or skirmish". A fight large enough for all the knights to be called to the king, Karn knew that Lord Strom must have something to do with it. The man was a great combatant and excellent strategist, whatever they were here for he thought that Lord Strom must be in the advanced party, preparing for their arrival and this put Karn's mind somewhat at ease as he listened to the other men.

Karn read the note carefully, glancing up at this Drewson and wondering how he came to know the king on such a personal basis. 

"So.." Karn said as he wrapped his knuckles against the table, pondering the implications of the letter. "The king calls a meeting, yet before that meeting he plans to foster a friendship between two specific knights. Furthermore, who is to say that more of these pairings were also not set forth by the king." Karn was referring to multiple different groups of knights scattered throughout the smoke room.

"Perhaps the king believes that your unique combined skillset will be needed in the aftermath of this meeting."

Karn handed the letter back to Woodward, his brow now furrowed in thought until he heard a wolf howling outside the castle.

It startled him for multiple reasons, wolves were not typically found this close to the city and never seen during the day. Perhaps this one was rabid or desperate and was hunting sheep beyond the outer gates. He looked to the other two knights to see their reactions.

In an instant Jerrec knew the only way he would get through this crowd fast enough. He threw his hood back and pulled back his sleeves yelling, "The leper's disease, I have the leper's disease!" Jerrec began to run, making long strides with his bulky frame, hoping the people would ove out of his way fast enough after hearing his yells. This man was the reason that only well trusted clients were ever given the opportunity to pay after a job was completed and Jerrec remembered this man's job reeking of a set up.

"Try your pity on the grey man, I only do what I'm paid for."

Jerrec went back into the bar where all the patrons were still standing shocked but immediately cheered once Jerrec mentioned the free round once more, perhaps they had been worried that his good will had been ruined.

Now that the customers were happily in their drinks and a soft din rang throughout the inn Jerrec began talking with the dwarf. Though it cost him a good chunk of his funds Jerrec still paid for the rounds of drinks but recieved his room and board free for dealing with the noble.

Jerrec took a large tray up to his room, a large bit of stewed lamb with vegetables leaving a trail of steam behind him. The room itself had previously been the noble's and he had clearly not treated it with respect,a broken mirror leaned on one leg in the corner. After filling his stomach Jerrec then set out to explore the town until he could meet his contact.

"Keep him out of here and you can have him." Jerrec chuckled, "But if he comes back then he'll end up looking a lot more like those guards of his."

The guards in the tavern were both standing now and making their way slowly toward the door, their eyes looking straight down, hoping not to draw any further attacks from the two men standing there. 

Jerrec decided since he jad just handed this man over that perhaps he would be able to get some information from him. "Do you mind telling me what your business with him is? I just got into town myself, are there many bounties for pests like this one?"

 

As the guards look to each other Jerrec takes the opportunity to spring on the guards. The one closest to the bar he quickly delivers a solid punch straight to his gut and slams the man's face down hard into the solid wooden bar, blood now pouring from the man's broken nose. Jerrec tosses the limp moaning man into the second guard, who at this point had been so taken aback that he hadn't even drawn his sword. The second guard collapses under the force of the throw combined with the weight of his comrade crashing into him as Jerrec made toward the noble. He picked the yelling screaming man up as he easily blocked a few feeble thrusts with a small dagger that the man had been holding and moved toward the door. Throwing it open he was prepared to throw the man out into the dirt street when he came face to face with a grey skinned man that was dressed in a spectacular red outfit. Jerrec dropped the nobleman to the ground with a thud and sighed, "Don't tell me you're with this one too?"

Jerrec's ploy had worked far better than he had hoped, with this many customers in tow ot would be extremely foolish for any inn to turn him away.

Upon entering a new inn Jerrec surveyed the scene. A dwarf as the innkeep was a good sign for him, Jerrec had found that more often than not he had a certain comradery with the dwarves he had met in his travels. He caught bits of an argument between the dwarf and the noble as he strode towards the bar. As he reached the pair he immediately began to speak over the men, the noble gasping with a look of incredulity at the intruder's nerve.

Jerrec placed his bag of coin on the counter as he spoke, "I bring with me many patrons, each of their first drinks is on me! I also find myself in need of food, drink and a room." The noble's eyes were bulging and his face red as he did his best to look down his nose at Jerrec while looking almost straight up. Jerrec looked down at him and said aside to the dwarf, "Also my services are currently available if needed, I'm sure we can find a way to settle payment afterwards."

Jerrec looked down at this stammering thing poking at him and thought for a minute about how easy it would be to crush his skull, not the best idea but still an entertaining one. Instead he decided he would leave but not without an attempt to steal some business from this brash individual. He pulled a large clinking bag from his pocket and yelled, "First round is free for any who leave this inn and follow me to the next!", before turning on his heel and walking out the door.

Jerrec had heard that scream before, it was the scream of each of his marks when they realized he was there to kill them, the kind of scream that draws unwanted attention. 

It was already too late to quietly slip back out so he had to think fast, trying to sound as jovial as possible he yelled.

"Boy, don't tell me that you wet your breeches at the sight of a bit of mud. I need a room and a bath!" Finishing his sentence he held up two silver pieces, thinking this enough to get the room and kill suspicions while not enough to make others think him too eager.

Jerrec's interest piqued for a moment when he noticed an unattended cart. As he considered what to do his stomach grumbled loudly, having eaten the last of his food almost a full day ago. Jerrec didnt typically hunt while on jobs, he did jave a few snares and such for catching small game but he had been intent on reaching Hallow's Peak on time.

Deciding he wouldn't starve due to a small delay Jerrec dismounted his stallion and approached the donkey. It seemed calm enough so he decided he could lead it to town and perhaps leave it at a guard outpost for them to deal with. Once he'd relieved himself of the lone donkey he planned to head straight to an inn and get a very large meal.

At first glance Jerrec appeared as a tall, well built, mountain of a man, a dark forest green cloak with a hood bunched around his shoulders and obscured his chest and lower body which were covered in a sort of leather armor, made to provide mobility over defense. His arms and hands appeared to be covered in sun-dried, caked on dirt that seemed to cling to his skin harder than any dirt held a right to. His eyes were a brilliant green that he kept angled down yet if the sun were to catch them then one might noticed that they appeared faceted like a cut diamond.

In truth Jerrec wasnt a man at all, he was an Oread, a hybrid between man and any number or earth spirits. In Jerrec's case his father was an earth elemental. His conception had not exactly been consentual so when his mother died in childbirth, his fate was sealed. The family tolerated him as an infant but as he grew older and began to show more signs of his mixed parentage their hatred boiled to the surface quite often.

These days Jerrec found work as a mercenary and sellsword and that was the reason he ventured into Hallow's Peak on this day. Having completed his most recent job he had been given instructions to recieve payment in this town during the summer yield festival.

As he approached the northern entrance to rhe town he may have been a somewhat intimidating sight. He rode a quite large black stallion, large enough to accomadate hid weight. A pare of forged cestus hung off the rear saddlebags and clanged against them occasionally, signaling more metal inside. Across his back was a large two-handed axe that had two symmetrical half moon blades at its top.

I'm the next door neighbor you have an affair with.

Karn had been listening to each of the other knights and as Drewson spoke about how he had become a knight it made Karn think of his own story...as of recently however; he wasnt sure what his story was...

                          3 months ago,

                         The Castle in the Mountain

Karn walked down the cold stone hall toward Lord Strom's chambers. Torches lit the halls at distinct intervals, enough to light you way and cast light upon the sparse decorations such as drapes ,that depicted great battles, or the hides of animals but still causing shadows to dance all around. 

After entering the room a servant quickly left and closed the doors behind them. Lord Strom stood in a far corner leaning over a desk, a large direwolf cloak hung across his shoulders in a way that caused its in tact face to appear snarling. As Karn approached, Strom turned and a fleeting smile was replaced with a stern look. "Sit down boy, we have important things to discuss".

Karn's eyes lingered on Strange for a time. The man certainly seemed to be holding something back though he couldn't be sure what. Before he could ask another question, Drewson had begun playing a jolly tune that drowned out any further murmuring in the immediate area.

Once the song was finished the other two knights began to converse with Strange about possible meetings and acquaintances but Karn focused on a single phrase that Strange had said. "Melee or skirmish". A fight large enough for all the knights to be called to the king, Karn knew that Lord Strom must have something to do with it. The man was a great combatant and excellent strategist, whatever they were here for he thought that Lord Strom must be in the advanced party, preparing for their arrival and this put Karn's mind somewhat at ease as he listened to the other men.

Strange's introduction had grabbed Karn's attention enough that the female elf became mere background noise to him as she butted in saying something about Drewson's instrument. Karn rose and gave Strange the respect he deserved from someone of Karn's own rank.

 "Sir, I am man-at-arms Karn Strom, no honour beyond my lineage. We were simply discussing rumours of why the king may have called us here." Karn paused now, wondering if he should mention the king's letter that drew these two men together, but they had been open enough with him so Karn believed it would be fine to provide some details.

"And it seems the king may have reasons for certain knights to come together before this meeting."

Karn read the note carefully, glancing up at this Drewson and wondering how he came to know the king on such a personal basis. 

"So.." Karn said as he wrapped his knuckles against the table, pondering the implications of the letter. "The king calls a meeting, yet before that meeting he plans to foster a friendship between two specific knights. Furthermore, who is to say that more of these pairings were also not set forth by the king." Karn was referring to multiple different groups of knights scattered throughout the smoke room.

"Perhaps the king believes that your unique combined skillset will be needed in the aftermath of this meeting."

Karn handed the letter back to Woodward, his brow now furrowed in thought until he heard a wolf howling outside the castle.

It startled him for multiple reasons, wolves were not typically found this close to the city and never seen during the day. Perhaps this one was rabid or desperate and was hunting sheep beyond the outer gates. He looked to the other two knights to see their reactions.

Karn moved to sit down before speaking. "Unfortunately I do not know of the current state of affairs in the mines along the northern mountains. The last time I stood there in Lord Strom's presence was near on six months ago." 

Karn paused here, glancing around the room for Strom and did not see the man. Strom was overtly tall and well built with a fire red beard in two braids protruding from his chin. His hair was the same shade of red but just as signature as his hair was the large mithril broadsword he carried into battle, a large and intricate blue tinted blade that he had dubbed Lion's Pride. Mithril had been an extremely rare metal until a number of deposits had been discovered in the mines of Lord Strom, though weapons made from it were still rare and valuable.

"I, however, have been seeing to the renovations of his manor to the west of the city, not much entertainment there unless you enjoy tales of ledgers and construction I'm afraid." At this he nodded toward the letter on the table. "Any information on why we're here on that bit of parchment?"

Karn arrived near the two men during what seemed to be a short break in introductions and immediately began to introduce himself. Unsure of the rank of these two knights he decided to make an at least somewhat formal introduction.

"Hello good sirs! I am Sir Karn Strom, heir apparrent to the Lord Draemon Strom, the crimson lion, and man at arms to our true lord King Henri."

Bowing as he mentioned the king Karn then proceeded, "May i beg the honour of your company while we await our true summons on this day?"

Karn tried to make sure he wasnt blushing, even after countless lesson he still felt so out of place when attempting to speak formally. As he awaited a reply he noticed the first man with some note spread on the table in front of the second and wondered what sort of dealings he may have stepped in on.

Karn chose a most inopportune moment to take a sip of wine. Currently two elves had entered the room and moved to sit near a knight that Karn recognized as Strange De Artagn and Karns' draw slowly drooped as he took in their features, allowing the deep red wine to fall onto and begin soaking into the seat. He sputtered silently and looked around for an escape. 

He had not seen Lord Strom at all, odd he thought, the Crimson Lion was surely a knight whose presence would be missed. He thought to approach Strange and ask if he had any knowledge of Strom's whereabouts but at the current moment the man's table seemed largely occupied and Karn desperately wanted to distance himself from the certainly stained chair. 

It was at this moment that Karn noticed the soft lilting of a lute being played and tuned stop and the young man playing it approach another. Hoping to perhaps join their conversation to pass the time and avoid suspicion he moved across the room to meet them.

Karn's pondering was interrupted by the sound of many boots padding across the floor of the hall he had just left. A large group of knights, perhaps friends or some designated unit had just entered the hall and immediately proceeded toward the west. 

Karn smiled at his good fortune, there was only one place that this many knights could be heading at this time. He managed to slip in at the very back of their ranks and followed them all to their destination.

The western smoking room, he heard intoned as a well dressed yet older man, probably a butler, began to announce the new arrivals. In the large crowd that now stood in the entrance Karn was able to slip further into the room and avoid his own announcement. After all, there was really nothing impressive about his heritage or holdings but something he was good at was going unnoticed. Karn moved quickly to a table and sat down, adjusting hist sword belt so that his weapons did not scuff the fine mahogany furniture.

Karn strode through the outer courtyard quickly, past the souther stables and southern gardens.and not slowing until he was well out of sight of the two guards. As he approached the main stairs of the southern entrance, a large set that curved inward, funneling guests toward a large set of double doors painted with the seal of the kingdom, he thought of his potential options.

He could hope to run into another knight and simply travel with them, but this section of the castle seemed almost deserted. A servant might know, but only one that were important enough, most would probably know little more tham gossip. 

At this point Karn had strode through the doors and stood in a large circular chamber, decorated with suits of armor and shields with the coat of arms of the major houses at precise distances around the perimeter. There were passages directly to the north, east and west. Standing there for a a short time, Karn began to walk slowly toward the eastern passage, coming to rest beside a solid oak door that felt cool as if it may open downward, he wondered what part of the castle the king might take court in today.