Bluelake Family/IrisWyllaRP/BaradLacirith

Taking Barad Lacirith

Roleplay from Marlo Hormondson

Message sent to everyone in your realm (34 recipients)

Ham clipped the back of Marlo's head yelling "What the Hell is wrong with you boy?".

"Huh?"

"You really are your fathers' son aren't you?" Ham snarled. "What ever is the matter Uncle?"

"Stop lusting after the Bluelake sisters ... look over there ... I spent many weeks in the Dungeon during the Falasan-Eston war ... and Murdo relocates the family to the damn city!"

Marlo gulped. "And here you are ... looking at those pretty girls like they are some tavern wenches for your amusement!" Ham's eye twitched. "You've forgotten all about Alma, haven't you?"

"Well ..." Marlo began. "Lady Chi never lets her out of her sight ... and I have been busy at court and on campaign"

"So you lost interest because you couldn't get to first base?" Ham yelled as he slapped Marlo full across the face.

Marlo backed away ... his eyes flashed dangerously ... "You go too far ... Uncle" Marlo spat blood and stalked off.

Ham stared at his retreating back, surprised at himself. He turned and saw Iris and Wylla walking the other way ... oblivious to the drame in Family Hormondson. "I loved her Marlo ..." Ham whispered. "I loved Ilya."

A single tear slipped down his cheek. "Hotchkiss!" Ham called.

"Brandy sir? Good choice!" muttered Hotchkiss, who had seen everything.

"Stop trying to butter me up, son." Ham ignored the glass but took the offered bottle and took a long slug, much to Hotchkiss' alarm. Ham gave half the bottle back to Hotchkiss. "Give the rest to Marlo, son. Tell him everything ... and tell him I am sorry." Then Ham trudged off to the temple to the Warrior Saints.

Battle in Barad Lacirith

Total: 3 attackers (22 Inf, 88 Arch) 19 defenders (456 Inf, 402 Arch, 39 Cav, 149 SF) Total combat strengths: 1224 vs. 13134 35 neutral observers (30836 combat strength).

The forces from Rieleston brace as they prepare to defend their ongoing takeover. The region owner Eston and their allies attack the takeover forces. The Eston troops attack because they are at war with Rieleston. The Cagilan Empire forces stay neutral because they have friends on both sides.

It is quite windy and the archers will have to aim very carefully. Even though there is a fortification nearby, neither attackers nor defenders are able to make use of it, so the battlefield is in the open. Melass Howard, Knight of Belegrond, Marshal of the Republican Guard takes command of his army. They deploy in Infantry Wall formation. Itenin Consequa, Senator of Amriel, Marshal of the Order of the Star takes command of his army. They deploy in Infantry Wall formation.

Lumia De Lancelot, Dame of Barad Lacirith has been wounded by Blue Eagles (8). Defender Victory!

The battle does minor damage to the local infrastructure. Production falls 1 %.

Roleplay from Wylla Bluelake

Message sent to everyone in the region Barad Lacirith (58 recipients)

Wylla watched as her men proclaimed liberation in the central market, sitting by Iris' and Alma's side. Her sister had been thoughtful since the battle yesterday, and Wylla had been really grumpy. It was ridiculous that they all had to fight this one knight and a few troops. What about all those Cagilani troops, what were they doing there? Also, what was that about so many units with Wolves in them?! Suddenly Iris stood up and turned.

"Hey, Wylla, I'm going to check on Dame Lumia, okay? It was one of my arrows that pierced her armor... I really must."

"Ah, so that's what's been bothering you... I get it. Go along, go along."

Iris smiled a sad smile.

"I don't know why you're so intractable today. We've done everything right so far." Sullen silence "Well, okay. Can you please make sure my men keep working until I'm back?"

"No problem. I'll whip them if they fall out of line..."

"No!"

Wylla winked.

"It's just a joke, sis. Alma will make sure I don't. Don't worry. Go ahead, now. Bye bye."

Just as Iris had left, Wylla saw General Marlo storming off from somewhere behind her. Oh, he can't be up to no good. She gave a quick look to Alma and realized she hadn't seen him. "Alma, can you please take care of these guys until they are done with spreading the word of freedom? The Varl brothers will help keep them in line. There's something I really need to do." Alma looked puzzled, but also glad to be trusted in and agreed.

The dame took off and followed her liege discreetly.

Roleplay from Chi Motosuwa

Message sent to everyone in your realm (36 recipients)

"I don't know why you're so intractable today. We've done everything right so far." Sullen silence "Well, okay. Can you please make sure my men keep working until I'm back?"

"No problem. I'll whip them if they fall out of line..."

"No!"

Wylla winked.

"It's just a joke, sis. Alma will make sure I don't. Don't worry. Go ahead, now. Bye bye."

Listening to the sister talk, Alma couldn't help but wish right then and there she had a sister of her own. It had only been her and her father since she was born. Her mother left before she could even walk and every night she dreamed of what her mother was like ... but now that she finally meet her. Alma quickly shrugged the thought and thought aloud in her head" I have found my mother and now my cousins ... I even have Marlo....." but she was unable to mask the growing sadness.

"Alma, can you please take care of these guys until they are done with spreading the word of freedom? The Varl brothers will help keep them in line. There's something I really need to do." Wylla said.

Alma looked puzzled, but also glad to be trusted in and agreed. As she walked up to te group of men The Varl brothers meet up with her. "My lady would you care to have a drink with us?" Alma shyly responded " I thank you for the offer but I feel that being sober for now will let me keep a clear head"

Seeing the Varl Brothers flirting with the beautiful young woman, more of the soldiers picked up their ale and made way to join in the festivities. Politely denying the request of the men to join them for a drink, Alma tried to make her way past the crowd.

Roleplay from Marlo Hormondson

Message sent to everyone in the region Barad Lacirith (58 recipients)

Marlo stormed into his command tent and stripped of his cuirass. "Conrad! I wish to spar!".

Marlo exited the tent with a fencing sword and a cut lip.

"What happened to you sir?" Conrad asked, concern showing on his face.

"En Guard!" Marlo snarled and began to attack his captain. After a tense few minutes, Conrad clearly had the upper hand. "Sir, you really need to control your anger ... I could have killed you a dozen times over. Anger is not good for you." Marlo smashed him in the face with his bare hand, knocking him down. Conrad rolled and sprang back to his feet. He talked no more. Two minutes later he disarmed Marlo with a flick of his wrist. With the point of his sword drawing a thin drop of blood from just under Marlo's chin, he simply said "The lesson is now over sir. Do not lose control over yourself. And do not think to abuse your position with me again." He calmly sheathed his sword and walked away. A man completely in control of himself. A man of ice.

Marlo felt ashamed. Hotchkiss the ex-soldier approached Marlo then. "Excuse me Sir. Your Uncle wishes to apologise." He offered the half bottle of Brandy.

"Why?"

"He should have explained himself to you. You see, it appears to be the curse of the Hormondsons to fall in love with Bluelake women, and yet not have that affection returned in kind." Seeing Marlo's confusion he went on. "Iris is almost the image of Queen Ilya of Falasan ... and your uncle would have died for her had she asked him ... he was that devoted."

"Oh ... I see." Marlo felt doubly ashamed. He drained the bottle absently.

"Get me another of these would you Hotchkiss?" he said sadly. "oh ... and get another one for my Uncle."

"Of course Sir ..." muttered Hotchkiss, wondering where in Barad Lacirith he was going to find any more Capashin Brandy.

Roleplay from Ham Hormondson

Message sent to everyone in your realm

The ice cold swordsman entered the Temple in Barad Lacirith and approached the elderly man who knelt in prayer before the Altar.

"Hello Conrad", whispered Ham. "Spar with Marlo, did you?"

Conrad grunted "if you can call it that ... the boy was angry ... he completely lost his temper."

Ham looked at him. "You can blame me for that. He was getting too excited by some new arrivals." Ham turned back the icons in front of him.

Conrad knelt down next to Ham. "I calmed him down ... told him not to lose his cool like that or the next fight would be fatal."

"I have never seen anyone as cool as you, Conrad." Ham admitted. "Better than you maybe, but not as cool."

"That is the reason I am still alive, Your Grace." Ham passed him a pouch of gold. "That is why I am paying you to train him. Sorry I wound him up."

"No ... thank you ... now I know what gets under his skin, I can do something with him now." Then Conrad stood up, and went back to his duties. Ham smiled. As Conrad left, Hotchkiss the former Soldier entered carrying a a flask of Brandy.

Roleplay from Wylla Bluelake

Message sent to everyone in the region Barad Lacirith (25 recipients)

When Marlo left his tent ready to spar with his Captain, Wylla smiled from where she stood, out of sight. That was a way of dealing with frustrations she understood. His control was too far gone, though, for a decent fight, and getting worse. Despite his strength, Conrad was able to easily disarm him. She followed him going away with admiration and, looking back at her liege, shook her head. Well, at least he's got the good sense of not making army decisions like this.

The dame was about to leave when the servant arrived with the brandy. His words sent her head whirling. So that old man... And now Lord Marlo? That's the explanation of his dirty looks... But... Alma is a Bluelake too. He's surrounded from all sides.

Wylla left, thinking. She couldn't let Iris be the center of his affections. She was too pure, too kind, too accepting, too vulnerable. She would get hurt or he would drag her into things that would change her. Alma apparently didn't have enough Bluelake blood for him... though she did like the guy. How to solve this? She would have to figure something out. For now, Wylla followed the only idea she had and sent her General a letter:

"General Marlo,

You invited us to dine when we arrived at Barad Lacirith. My sister is too busy helping take care of the wounded Dame Lumia, but Dame Alma and I would be happy to join you. Let us know when.

Regards,
Wylla Bluelake
Dame of Hernepoole"

Roleplay from Marlo Hormondson

Message sent to everyone in the region Barad Lacirith (22 recipients)

Marlo was sitting on the floor and, feeling much the worse for wear, blinked owlishly at the three men standing before him. Choosing the middle image to take the offered note, he began to read.

"She wantsh food now?" Marlo groaned. Ham approached Marlo hesitantly. Seeing how drunk Marlo was, he began to get concerned. "How much have you had boy?" Ham half demanded. "Sh-ame as you'" Marlo slurred, before his eyes rolled up into the back of his head and he slowly fell backwards.

Ham gulped. "Have I really been drinking so long that I can't live without it?" he thought to himself.

Ham picked up the note. "Hmm ... Wylla but no Iris, huh?"

Ham looked at Hotchkiss, who came to attention. "still feeling military are we?"

"Always, sir."

Ham nodded. "Lets get Marlo sobered up. I think he needs your black-dog remedy." Hotchkiss became alarmed. "But sir, only in dire emergencies should we ... "

"This is an emergency. He is having dinner with a Bluelake. So I need you to keep them all busy." Ham turned away. "Where will you be sir?"

Ham smiled. "I will be educating the other one."

Letter from Ham Hormondson

Dear Lady Iris,

I write to ask you if you should like to dine with me this evening. As you are the senior member of your Family here in Barad Lacirith, I should very much like to show you my collection of famous Falasani, including your Grandmother. I would very much like to share with you what I remember of those days when your Grandmother was Queen.

As both the senior member of my Family, and the last government member of Falasan still standing, I convey to you this request. Please bring your attendents. I understand that your sister has made plans for this evening herself. Marlo is very keen to meet her. I do hope he is a gracious host. I have tried to keep him civil as much as is possible. He is very much like Murdo, his father, which is both a good thing as well as a bad thing.

I hope this letter finds you in good health and that you are enjoying the climate here.

Sincere and Kind Regards, Sir Ham Hormondson Knight of Moramroth

Roleplay from Marlo Hormondson

Message sent to everyone in your realm (36 recipients)

Chi turned to Ham. "Smack some since into that damn fool kin of yours for me and get him into this arranged marriage" after she said her peace she lead Iris away from the area "Come my queen, me must not waist any more time here"

"Chi, no one can be called queen here ..." He paused, puzzled "What arranged marriage? I will not, I could not, impose a choice on Marlo."

Ham walked off, favouring his right leg slightly. "Sir?" muttered Hotchkiss. "I have torn my calf Hotchkiss, if you were wondering."

"But how can you walk at all sir?"

"3 bottles of Brandy" Ham said simply as he continued back into the temple. Hotchkiss stared at him ... more worried than ever.

Meanwhile, Marlo was late for his dinner date. Conrad accompanied him down the side street short cut they had chosen. Unfortunately, six men were laying in wait. They stepped out into the light and fanned round Marlo and Conrad.

"Rieleston SCUM!" they yelled before charging at the two.

Before Marlo had drawn his sword, Conrad had dispatched the leader with a slash across the jugular and parried two wild swings. Standing back to back, Marlo and Conrad defnded themselves easily. With a flick of his wrist, Conrad slashed another across both eyes, blinding him. Meanwhile, Marlo thrust his sword into the belly of one man while punching the other full in the face, knocking him back. Pulling his sword out of the twitching corpse he decapitated a third. With only one each now, they began to circle the thugs. They were much better swordsmen.

Marlo pulled away with a faint cut across his chest. As the man moved in for the kill, Marlo spun past the thrust of the enemies sword and passed his sword through the neck and the shock and surprse on the mans face remained as the head fell to the floor.

Conrad spoke to his man. "I know you ... you are Lucas right." The man nodded. "Nasty line of work you got yourself into here." "Wife and child died of scarlet fever three months ago." Lucas muttered as he parried a brilliant thrust. "I gotta pay the whores with something."

Conrad's lip curled. "You always did ..." Blocking a slash to his neck and turning the blade in a thrust to the face, Conrad remained cool, but he could see his opponent was tiring. "Lucas grimaced as Conrad began to press more. "Did someone send you to kill us Lucas?"

Lucas responded with greater urgency. He was sweating profusely now. Conrad remained cool. His gray eyes looked like the storm clouds. Waiting for the moment was never easy, until the opponent began to tire. Then, deflecting the sword aimed at his gut, he redirected his own sword into Lucas' chest.

Lucas eyes bulged and his legs buckled. His sword dropped to the floor. Conrad caught him in his arms. "Who sent you?"

Lucas sad eyes glazed over and he was gone.

The blinded man groped on the floor. "Who sent you?" Conrad hissed. The blinded man, took his knife and and plunged it into his neck and he toppled over.

"You knew Lucas?" Conrad looked up at Marlo. "Did you?" he asked.

Conrad nodded his head. "Great with the sword ... a genius."

"You just beat him though." Conrad shook his head. "I did not beat him ... I just didn't lose. I made use of my advantages and exploited his weaknesses. He was in no condition to fight, and even then he almost had me."

"I thought you were the best" Marlo uttered. "No ..." said Conrad. "Just the coldest ... lets get the hell out of here ... Sir."

The men cleaned their weapons as they jogged away.

Letter from Marlo Hormondson

Lady Wylla,

I am sorry your dear Sister could not also attend. However, I am a man of my word and I would dearly love your company this evening. I understand that your cousin Alma will also dine with us this evening. I have invited my guard captain, Conrad, a champion swordsman and a good man to also attend. He is both courteous and knowledgeable but usually declines to boast of his achievements.

I do hope this letter finds you in good health and that you continue to prosper as my vassal.

Sincere and Kind Regards, Sir Marlo Hormondson General of Rieleston Senator of Hernepoole

Letter from Wylla Bluelake

Greetings, Milord,

These arrangements do sound good. Please let us know when to come?

Regards, Wylla Bluelake Dame of Hernepoole

These continue both at the Dinner at Chi's and Dinner at Marlo's pages