Vallejo Family/Maelg/Roleplays

Maelg looks up from supporting one of his two remaining men as they traipsed towards Partora. 'Let's rest here, where we can see the walls of Partora. At this pace we should get there in about 12 hours.' The men slump to the ground, too weary to even make a fire, and fall asleep instantly. Maelg looks towards Partora, thinking of a comfortable inn, with a bed with fresh straw in it. 'I need to get to Perdan as soon as possible. Those Siron and Fontanese bastards have dared to enter Perdan Lands.' He says to no-one in particular. With that Maelg leans up against a tree and wonders if Blen still has his liver.

'Rise damn you RISE!' Maelg shakes his fist at the sky, impatient that the sun is ponderously slow in rising, it seems, this morning. 'I need to get to Perdan soon! Magnus is going to get a head start in the competition, and I haven't even tried ONE Blood Eagle yet!' Magnus hefts his bag of gold in his hand, wondering how much mead Magnus is able to drink and whether he has the coin to pay for it.

As the sun finally rises, Maelg starts kicking his men. 'Get up you lazy sods! Magnus has already started gutting people and drinking Perdan dry! If there's no mead left by the time I get there, you lot will be standing OUTSIDE the walls when the Sirionites show up!' With that the men gather their belongings and start the final leg to Perdan, hoping there is a stockpile of mead in cellars.

'Good work men, we got here on time, and by the looks of it, there's still plenty of mead. Go and find somewhere to rest, we may have battle on the morrow.' Maelg looks over at the courtyard, quiet except for Evangeline honing her skills with one of the academy's masters. 'Now, which dive of an Inn would you think Magnus is in? We have much to talk about.' Maelg looks to the battlements briefly, and squints. 'Is that a horned helmet I see poking out from behind the wall?, it is!' With that Maelg yells at the top of his voice, 'MAGNUS! WHY ARE YOU HIDING BEHIND THAT WALL? AFRAID THE POINTY-EARED FAIRIES ARE COMING FOR YOU??'

Maelg manages to pull himself together, wipes the tears from his eyes and sees Magnus heading towards him. Once he manages to draw a breath he reaches out and puts his arm around Magnus' shoulder. 'Lets go have a drink, meads are on me,' He continues, 'I wouldn't worry about her, she's always so serious when it comes to nobility. Me, I'm just a stable hand who married her to get a foot up into nobility. Now look at me, "Battlegroup Commander"!' With that Maelg laughs and walks off towards the nearest inn, still chuckling to himself.

Maelg is sitting in the "Maimed Seagull" a dive of an inn if you have ever seen one, with his sworn shield-brother Magnus. 'Magnush my friend, I fink I shud go. I haven't sheen Evangelne for a long time. I wash full of crud out there in the courtyard.' Maelg downs the rest of his mead. 'I love her. I alwaysh have.' With that Maelg gets unsteadily to his feet, and stumbles towards the front door. '....4 o'clock and aaaaalllls weeeelllll...' can be heard from the watch. 'No it bloody ishn't. Hey you over there! Wheresh Evageline staying? You don't know? What ushe are you to me?' 'Evangeline! Evangeline! Eva.....' could be heard from Maelg as he stumbles through the sleeping streets of Perdan.

Maelg wakes in the doorway of some house with his concerned scribe, Breck shaking him forcefully. 'Maelg! My Lord! Wake up! The Marshal of Perdan has sent orders!' Maelg, with only a little help from Breck, gets to his feet, the thought of action sobering him immediately, well almost. 'My mouth feels like a cat slept in it... What are the orders?' Breck unrolls a parchment and reads aloud '1500cs of archers to move the the mines of Perdan, everyone else in Perdan to misdirect to Bescanon' 'Sire, Magnus is already moving out to face the monsters' 'Good. I fear Perdan City could not handle him for too much longer. Breck, ready the men, we "move" to Bescanon, now!' As Breck sprints off, Maelg thinks to himself 'I almost feel sorry for those monsters... almost'|}

Maelg looks up to see the full moon is still in the sky, and realises that it is almost sunrise, and the moon he was looking at was Magnus' bare behind as he hung it out over the wall for something to do...

At the border of Bescanon 'Evangeline, We must part. It was good to fight alongside of you. Please give this to Magnus, when you see him in Perdan.' Maelg hands Evangeline a crude necklace of pointy ears. 'Tell him I'm winning 14-3 in the blood eagle contest'

23/07/2006 Maelg challenges his wife to a duel Maelg is in the courtyard, just before sunset, training amongst his men. Three men have him surrounded, Maelg is comfortably rotating within the center of the three, his short sword weaving circles, he is in a crouched position like a cat ready to pounce on any sign of mistake, and there is one. One of the soldiers adjusts his grip on his sword and in that instant Maelg whirls into action concentrating on the poor soldier with strike after strike until he bears the man down to the ground. With the man beaten he whips around to face the other two. Deciding that the odds of two to one would be better if they attacked simultaneously, they charge in swinging their swords trying to find an opening in Maelgs defence. Maelg starts to move backwards under the assailance of the two, but always careful to circle as to give one a disadvantage. As the closer soldier over-extends, Maelg siezes the opportunity to plant a carefully placed kick into the mans ribs, crumpling him instantly. As the second soldier stumbles over his fallen comrade, Maelg pulls him past spins, and smacks the unwitting soldier with the flat of his sword across his behind. "Terrible! How am I meant to get better when I have no-one decent to train against!" Maelg turns to see Evangeline entering the courtyard, and he glances at the sky, "Well it is sunset" "Eva, my dear. I had planned for us to spend some time together quietly up on the walls for a meal. If I could get that damn Falcion off there, we would have had some privacy too. Unfortunately, the mood has left me as I have been training with these dolts and they have done nothing but frustrate me." Maelgs eyes light up as he notices Evangeline is still wearing her sword. "Milady," and Maelg sketches a bow " Would you do me the honour of a duel. I crave a challenge."

"Okay... it's time we settled this anyway. I'll accept your duel" A grin splits Maelgs face. "Thankyou" Maelg stands slightly side-on relaxed and at ease, he inclines his head to signal to Evangeline he is ready. Evangeline takes up her ready position. At once Maelg attempts to sieze the advantage by trying to overrun Evangeline in a quick succession of blows. Much to his surprise his blows are met just as aggresively, and he finds himself parrying blows as much as making them himself. As the to and fro continues for several minutes, with neither party wishing to back down, sweat starts to drip from both oppenents, with Evangeline glistening beautifully in the sunset. Finally Maelg manages a brief nick on Evangelines off arm a fraction of a second before she manages to give Maelg a nasty slice on his sword arm. "Well met my love. It seems I have managed to best you this time. I thank you for the challenge it has been invigorating. Shall we dine? It looks as though Falcion has left his post on the wall."

Maelg is bored and wants to stir up the oldies of the realm.... Maelg is sitting at his table in his command tent, bent over some scraps of paper mumbling to himself and drawing, then scribbling out what he had just drawn. "Ah-Ha! I have it! Breck!" Maelgs scribe magically appears at his left elbow "Yes Milord?" Maelg jumps from the sudden answer from directly behind him "SHHEESCH! Don't sneak up on me wouldjya? Have a look at this and tell me what you think!" Maelg beams with pride "Very nice sir, I especially like the windows on the house and the smiley face on the sun" "Not that picture, that was a erm... warm up!" Maelg delicately folds the piece of paper up and sticks it in his pocket "This is what I was talking about" Maelg stabs his finger at another piece of paper on the table "ahhhh... what is it Sir?" "It's my latest invention! I call it a 'zoomer frame' (patent pending). What it's for is" Maelg continues excitedly "for those 'older' nobles here in Perdan. It helps them move along faster. I hear they start to lose time once they get old. If you ask me I think it's because they need a snooze under a tree every couple of hours or they dislocate a hip, but anyway I've gone off track. If you have a look at the picture you can see I've even got somewhere for them to hang their scabbard, and scout reports, and if you turn it around you can sit on this bit and have a bit of a rest if you feel like it!" "Very nice Sir! But who needs one of these?" inquires Breck "Well I was thinking about it and I think we should send out a couple of proto-thingies to Kerwyn and ][osferatu, as I hear they're having trouble keeping up!" "ahh ok Sir, do you think that's a good idea?" "Nonsense! Of course it's a good idea. It's /my/ idea! Now get to it and get two made and sent out immediately!"

...5 years ago, Maelg is mucking out the stables as a good stableboy does, when he spies a beautiful girl, no older than 16. She was the daughter of his lord, her name was Evangeline and she was the most stunning woman Maelg had ever seen. Maelg has been besotted with her since he first laid eyes on her. He remembers the day as if it was yesterday. Maelg was up a tree, pruning some branches that had grown too close to the mansion and were scraping on the shutters, disturbing the inhabitant of the rooms sleep. As he was pruning a particularily stubborn branch, he happened to glance in the window and spied an angel sitting in the room. Unfortunately Maelg was so stunned by her beauty, that he lost his grip and fell from the tree, landing in an uncomfortable pile of freshly pruned branches. Hearing the commotion through her freshly cleared window, Evangeline leans out of the window to see an extremely embarrassed young man brushing twigs and leaves from his breeches and hair. "Thankyou sir, for clearing the banches" she calls down to the man. "Please do not call me sir, Milady, I am but a humble stableboy, nothing more." With that, Maelg hurries off before he embarasses himself further, vowing to make himself a better man so he can present himself to her with pride .... to be continued

Maelg, and the other knights of Dimwood are standing around the pyre, heads bowed in mourning their liege. There are many more mourners standing just outside the small circle of Knights. Rattlers body is arranged on his shield, holding his sword to his breast. Pete and Gloin are arranged in a similar fashion on either side. To one side tables are arranged with Rattler's favourite delicacies, including Fairie Cakes and other treats that made the many onlookers mouths water with anticipation. Maelg lifts his head, and looks at the crowd with a tear-stained face. Speaking somberly, but loud enough for all to hear: "I would like to thank everyone of you for attending today. Rattler was a great soldier and an honourable liege. He was a loyal and dedicated member of the PCW. He died valiantly defending his realm. I hope that I die a worthy death as he did this day." Maelg lifts a lit torch, looks to the sky and yells "FOR RATTLER, FOR PERDAN!" He throws the torch onto the pyre, and watches it ignite, the flames consuming the pile of dry wood, it quickly engulfs his body, the smoke and flames blocking the view. Once Rattler's pyre had been lit, words were spoken of Gloin and Pete, by their closest friends. Their pyres were lit in the same fashion. With flames and smoke filling the background, Maelg turns to the crowd: "There is a book here. Those of you who wish, please leave a message, so we can send it to his relatives to show how much he was loved and honoured. Rattlers Funeral

Maelg waits patiently beside his campfire. "The Queen is in Lorient??" Maelg reads the latrst realm report. "I thought she was meant to be heading to Dimwood. The /other/ direction!" Breck, Maelgs ever-faithful scribe says: "She has a lot on her mind at the moment, Maelg.." Maelgs eyes shoot up at the familiar use of his name by his scribe. "Breck! Take a note for me to Queen Clarissa. Write this exactly. My Queen. I am still waiting in Dimwood. Should I continue to wait, or should I head for battle?" Hopefully we will hear back soon, as we will be able to make it to the battle. Several hours later, Breck rides in with a note from Her Highness. It read simply: "@!#&$(@#$*!@ I forgot. It's going to take me 3 turns to get there. I can't leave from Lorient now, so I'll be able to leave for Aix nex turn, then Dimwood after that. It's your call, but I'd like to get you appointed after the next set of battles either way." Maelg chuckles at the Queens obvious irritation at herself. "Breck, you have one more message to get to Lorient. Please tell Her Highness that I will wait in Dimwood for her."

As Clarissa is throwing potatoes towards Remorse, and he is trying to catch them in his bucket, Maelgs brain engages /just/ after the words had left his mouth. With horror he shuts his mouth and dives under the table with the words echoing in his brain... "Make sure they're peeled first, there's a good girl!..." Maelg peeks over the table and sees a strangely calm Clarissa. "Be a man Maelg, and meet me outside, would you dear?" Maelg pulls himself out from his hiding place, red faced and inwardly kicking himself for his big mouth. That'll be the last time he brings a cask of mead to the senate. Maybe. Once outside, Clarissa turns on him with a rage in her eyes. "I'll peel your potato head, Prince." Maelg, always the man to stand up and take what he deserves, faces Clarissa and asks. "What would you like my lady?" "A duel to first blood. You have wounded my honour." is the reply. Maelg nods. "Before we begin, I would like to apologise. Sometimes my mouth moves before my brain notices." They ready for the duel. Maelg, feeling ashamed presents a defensive stance, while Clarissa pulls out a small dagger, almost like a paring knife. Beginning, Clarissa makes several deft moves and ends up planting her dagger into Maelgs left forearm. "Thank you Maelg. Now if you could please, pull the knife out of your arm so I can have it back?" Wincing, Maelg removes the blade and wipes it clean on his breeches, and returns it hilt first to Clarissa. "aahhh another scar. You know, they do say that Dames dig scars..." is Maelgs reply.

Maelg is standing in the center of a room yelling at his stewards. "Get the patrols out. Beziers is being converted to Ibladesh today. I hear there may be unrest in the regions around it." The stewards run off to double the patrols to ensure things don't get out of hand when the people of Dimwood find themselves the new border between Ibladesh and Perdan. ...Several hours later Region Given Away! Your ruler has given the region of Beziers away to the realm of Ibladesh. There is loud protest and some unrest among the locals over this decision. Maelg looks around the small town. No-one seems to have noticed. In fact they're all in the "Filleted Flamingo". Seems like the people of Dimwood a starting to take after their Liege.

Maelg is sitting in his favourite corner of the Bloody Eagle, sipping his mead. Sipping, because Magnus wasn't here, so the races and games weren't on yet. Looking around the 'Eagle he was amazed at all the new and different faces, many were enemies, and now friends. 'I wonder when Magnus is getting here? He's probably still redecorating the Blind Buzzard in Bescanon. I can't believe they renamed it the Prancing Poodle!' Off to one side, Maelg sees Johann, still limping slightly after the last duel they had together, where Maelg managed to slice into Johanns big toe. Raising his glass he yells into the din of the inn "For the fallen heroes! May their names live on forever in our hearts! My shout while Magnus isn't here!"

Maelg stumbles out of the Bloody Eagle, using his new found friend Fatih as a support. Fatih, strangely enough is sober. "Youse cheat at Lionsh like my wife. She alwaysh beatsh me too. It wash good to meet you, young Fatih! Shall we meet again for another game tonight? Thish time you have to drink mead... none of thish shparkling mineral water you were gulping down all night...

Father and Son Reunite Maelg sat atop his horse looking down from a hill into a village. He could see that the people were not rich, but weren't exactly poor either. Everything was neat and tidy, and all buildings were in good repair. In a courtyard, Maelg could see a boy training with the villages master-of-arms, using the customary wooden practice swords for someone of his age. Squinting, he could make out some of the boys features, the shaggy dark-brown hair and skinny shoulders. The boy seemed to have some skill with the sword, as he gave the master a quick rap on the knuckles with his sword. With a yelp, the master dropped his sword. Maelg chuckled as he could see the master berating the boy for his impudence. Spurring his horse, he trots down into the village, and heads towards the boy and master. Dismounting just outside the courtyard, Maelg watches as the two square up again. Closer now, Maelg can make out more of the boys features. He isn't as skinny as he looked from a distance, and if his heritage has anything to do with it, he will fill out once he gets older. His eyes are a dark blue, when you can see them from under his scruffy hair. This time it's the master who gets the better, and as the boy over-extends himself, the master side-steps and gives the boy a smack on the arse with the flat of the sword. Maelg laughs out loud, which gets the two's attention. "s'not funny..." mumbles the boy, his head downcast. "How can I help you today, Sir?" asks the master. "I am here to speak with my son." Maelg says, looking at the boy. "His name is Murdo" looking pointedly at the boy as his eyes shoot up to look at him. "Hello son, it's been too long. Don't you recognise me?" Removing his helm, the master instantly recognises the family resemblance. "I will leave you to get reacquainted with your son, my Lord." With that the master takes the two practice swords and makes his way back to the barracks. Maelg and Murdo spend the better part of the day, wandering around the village, talking. Murdo excitedly shows his father his favourite parts of the village, filling him in with all the details he has missed out on while the boy was growing up. "Why have you come back, Father?" asks Murdo as they are heading out of the village, walking side-by-side, Maelgs horse trailing along behind them. "The realm is at peace, and that gave me time to think about other things than battle. It made me realise that I have missed seeing you grow up. It is good to see your grandparents have taken such good care of you. Give them my thanks when you go home." "I also wanted to give you a gift." Maelg pulls out a sword, still in it's scabbard from his gear on the back of the horse. "I had this crafted by the highest skilled smithies in all of Perdan, it's name is 'spiorad sladta' and I had it made especially for you." Murdo unsheathes the sword and swings it back an forth, testing the weight. "Thank you father". As Murdo re sheaths the sword he sees an engraving on the pommel. "What is this father?" he says indicating to it. "It is a Bloody Eagle, son. When you come to Perdan, I will sit you down with a good friend of mine, Magnus. He can tell you all about them." As Maelg mounts his horse, Murdo calls out to him. "Will you come back again soon? How do I care for the sword? What does 'spiorad sladta' mean?" Maelg laughs at the youths multitude of questions. "Son, I don't know if I will be able to come back to Zawr again, but I'll try and get you to Perdan to see how beautiful the realm is. I have some holdings in the region of Dimwood, I would be pleased to have you stay with me a while. You can also see your mother when you come. She would have been here too, but affairs of state have kept her in Perdan. Speak with the good master-of-arms, he will help you learn how to care for the sword." As Maelg trots off, he turns in the saddle and calls out to his son, " 'spiorad sladta', loosely translated means 'Soul Destroyer'" With that, Maelg turns and spurs his horse into a gallop, tears streaming his face.

Father and Son Adventure As Maelg finishes packing his bags for the trip south, he stops and thinks about his son, Murdo. Maelg was planning on picking Murdo up on his way south. He was looking forward to spending more than just one day with his son. He had an acquaintance to meet up with in Semall. Apparently San had been having fun sending Olorin to the healers tent with duels to surrender. It’s happened so often they have set up a permanent tent and cot just for him. As he ties his last pack onto his horse, he turns to his Mead Warriors and says to them, “Let’s move out lads! We’ve got a long hike ahead of us.” Patting his coin pouch he realises he’s a little light on. “Better stop off in Aix and get some coin for the boys.” He thinks to himself. With that thought he turns and points his horse in the direction of Aix and trots off, his men following behind.

Father and Son Adventure- "The Snatch" "What do you mean he can't come with me?" roared Maelg at his defiant Mother-in-Law. He was starting to realise where his wife got her stubbornness from. "He can't go! We have cows to milk, and the harvest is in a few days!" Complained the short, grey haired woman. "Bah! He's going to be a great warrior one day! What does he need with cows and corn?" realising he was not going to get anywhere with the discussion, he points his finger at his mother-in-law "Fine! I'll be in town for a couple of hours, don't think this is the last we've had of this discussion!" With that, Maelg storms off in the direction of town, his men in tow. Several hours later, just before sunrise, Murdo awakes to someone clamping their hand over his mouth. Looking up startled, he sees his father with one finger to his mouth signing to him to keep quiet. Murdo nods in understanding. "Quick boy," whispers Maelg "Grab some clothes, were leaving before the Dragon awakes." With that Murdo gathers a few clothes, and follows his father out the window. Sneaking out of earshot, Maelg says to his son "Pick up the pace. Breck and the men are waiting at the outskirts of town with the horses!"

Kalmar Islands Prison, part 1, attempted escape Maelg throws himself against the wooden reinforced doors in a blood rage. His friend and former High Marshal, Waylander had been tortured. His Shield Brothers love had been tortured, and he sat in the cells helpless to do anything. Throwing himself at the door again, it starts to splinter. With a primal roar he charges the door once more, ripping it from it's hinges. The door and Maelg carry out into the passageway of the dungeons. The two careening objects hurtle into one of the two quivering guards standing outside the room, crushing him against the wall. Maelg stands and faces the other guard, who was holding his sword at the ready, Maelg bends down and drags the dead guards sword from the scabbard. He turns and faces the guard, without taking his eyes from the soldier, Maelg turns his head slightly and spits a gobbet of phlegm and blood. "Right pig, be prepared to be spitted." In the small confines of the passageway, Maelgs strikes were confined to jabs and short slashes. The guard parried several of the blows and tried a thrust of his own. Maelg blocks the thrust with a downward swipe. As the blade traveled downwards, Maelg plants his foot on the soldiers blade. As the guard looks futilely at his blade, Maelg brings his sword upwards in a deadly arc, catching the man in the stomach, slicing through the leather vest and stomach alike. The blade flicks out and clips the mans jaw, splitting it asunder. The blade continuing its deadly arc upwards, hits the low ceiling and wedges between two of the cobbles. As the mans lifeless body hits the ground, Maelg steps over him to find his way out of the prison. Unfortunately, the noise of him breaking down the door has attracted the attention of the rest of the watch down the passage way. As one they bull rush the unarmed man, the small passageway and number of men gives them the weight and momentum advantage and they bring Maelg down. Kicks and punches rain down on Maelg, who fights with the last of his strength. The guards grab Maelg and toss him into another cell, this one had the slight scent of perfume of the Priestess Tabatha, along with the stench of death and decay. Curling up in a corner, Maelg conserves his strength to try to escape again on the sunrise. The thought of his friends torment and anguish firing his resolve to get out and wreak havoc amongst the weasels who call themselves 'rightful inhabitants' of the island.

Kalmar Islands Prison, part 2, tortured! Maelg is dumped unconscious in a corner of his cell, the many cuts and bruises looking almost infected and pustulent in the dim light. Several hours later, hs first sound is made, a groan, which turns into a yell, which turns into a blood curdling roar. He yells to the prison YOU SONS OF WHORES! DO YOU THINK TORTURING THE PRINCE OF PERDAN WILL SAVE YOUR SOULS! KAMENOS, I WILL RIP OUT YOUR EYEBALLS AND WEAR THEM AROUND MY NECK YOU COWARDLY PIECE OF TRASH! THAT WAY YOU WILL SEE ME RIP THE REST OF YOUR REALM APART. Collapsing from the exerstion Maelg lies where he falls, to sleep wherever and however he lays.

Kalmar Islands Prison, part 4, tortured again! Maelg awakens to the sound of his cell door being opened. Glancing up he can see the weasel Kamenos hiding behind a wall of steel, as several soldiers move into his cell. "Come to dish out some more torture you WEASELY, COWARDLY, BASTARD SON OF A YAK!" "How did you sneak in from hiding in the hills in the wasteland eh? You smell like you've come in on the manure cart!" Kamenos says nothing. The guards reach over to carry Maelg off once again, his left arm hanging broken and useless at his side. As he was walking, he stumbles and a guard moves to catch him. As he does, Maelg twists slightly and clamps his teeth on the poor unsuspecting guards ear. Screaming in pain the guard tries to pull away, but Maelg is resolute and bites in deeper. The other guards now aware of what is going on start to pummel Maelg to make him release his grip. With his last ounce of strength, he twists his neck and tears the mans ear from the side of his head. As Maelg is lying on the floor with the ear piece next to him, his face covered in blood, Maelg chuckles maniacly. "Lets do this Kamenos. Lets see how you conduct yourself as a man" The world goes black...

Home, a new weapon for Maelg (OOC: This RP covers several days, but I'm not going to sit around in PErdan city waiting that long!!) "It will take several months for your forearm to be back at it's full strength. Until then, you will need to wear this split to hold the bones in place until they bind properly." "Crap on the splint, and crap on Kamenos!" Was the reply from Maelg. His features were drawn, and he was skinnier from his malnourishment and the torture sessions had been hard on him. "How am I supposed to fight with these sticks attached to my arm?" The healer was sitting back, apparently deep in thought. His eyes focussing, the healer looks at Maelg. "You know, my brother is a blacksmith. Let me take some measurements of your arm, and I'll see what he can do." After some quick measurements and plenty of scribbling, the healer rushes out of the tent to find his brother. ...several days later... "My lord?" "Yes Christianos?" was the reply from Maelg. "You have a visitor, his name is Tristran. He's a blacksmith and he says you are expecting him?" "Send him in please." Maelg gets up and starts to fidget anxiously, wondering what the smith has made for him. The smith enters with a pageboy, who is carrying two rectangular boxes. Setting them both on a nearby table, the boy opens one. Inside is a polished steel brace that looks as if it would run from just below Maelgs elbow, right to a hole where his thumb could poke through. On the underside, there were buckles and straps to fit it snugly to his arm, but also allowing for expansion as the muscle rebuilds. The smith pulls it out and helps fit it to Maelgs arm. Looking at it more closely, he can see the intricate engravings of swirls and whorls. "I smithed the piece meself, my boy Filk here has an eye for the fancy, and did the engravings himself" "Very nice, very pretty. My thanks. It wont last long in a battle though!" "oi know milord, thats why we made you a second" Filk opens the second case, and within is a much plainer brace, similar in design, with a couple of differences. Instead of polished steel, this one is enamelled black, instead of the pretty swrls and whorls, there are two pairs of hooks, pointing towards Maelgs hand, used to catch any weapon and stopping it from sliding up the brace and hiting him in the upper arm. On the end, just above where his middle knuckle is, a wicked blade had been attached. "It's what oi call a 'punch dagger'" Tristran beams proudly. "Tristran, you are a genius. You have just helped me to get back in action." Maelg tosses him a bag of gold, more than the cost of both braces. "Milord, that is too much." "Nonsense Tristran! What you and your brother have done more for me over the last several days than you would ever imagine! Now go! Go and spoil your family, let them know that the Count of Dimwood will have the Filleted Flamingo cleared for your family alone for the night. Eat and drink as much as you like, it is on me."

Maelg tossed and turned on his bed, troubled by disturbing dreams. One minute he is walking through lush fields of wheat, plump and ripe ready to be harvested, children playing happily within the rows, him running his fingers through the waving sea of wheat. The next, all that can be seen is dust and desolation. The children are no longer laughing, but look out on him with hollow eyes, flies buzzing around them, their bellies distended from hunger. In between where two rows of wheat used to be is the remains of a child. The crows picking at his flesh, maggots where his eyes should be. As Maelg was about to scream in horror, a bright light filled his vision and his horror was replaced with comfort. The voice he recognises instantly as Celestine, his embodiment of the guiding spirit of the Church of Humanity. "Maelg. Your last vision is a view of what is about to happen. One of the realms here has angered the Gods. This realm has publicly displayed their greed. They have invited men of the cloth to preach in their lands and then tortured them for doing so. They have declared war on a peaceful religious realm and killed many innocent people without provocation. They do this and the Gods are displeased. The Gods have wept for the deaths of the innocents and turned their back on the island. With their backs turned, the evil unnamed ones have been released from the Gods watchful gaze, and now cause drought and disease throughout the lands. You must quest. You must travel to the south of the island, and then north. Visit the temples on the way. You must be the messenger of what is happening, and what is to come. Leave your men behind, and leave as soon as you are able. Spread the word. This evil must be purged from the land or you all will perish."