Amunsol

Auorix pondered a moment under the setting sun in Kheshatta at the bottom of the long steps leading to the heart of the city.

Lord Amunsol had mentioned the guard failed to defend Tesso and that their order had reestablished control of the town.

Had I been in these forsaken lands that long that our once hub of patrol success had fallen so badly.

I must ride to Tesso this evening and assess the situation for myself. I am sure there are guardsmen still there at one of our outpost on the outskirts of the town recovering.

*grasping the medallion around his neck, Sir Auorix Engel, Huntmaster of the Kings Guard allows the power of that ancient tool to flow through his body and returns to his homeland*

*Riding from the Guardsmen stables in Old Tarantia*

Lord Amunsol had been on the verge of loosing control when we spoke. It was not until half an hour had passed that his knuckles finally were no longer white from his tightly clenched fist.

The black horse snorted and pranced as Mandisa pulled on the reigns to hard, stoppig just in time not to collide with the inn's wall. She was on her way up north when Dute, a warrior of the order, happened to catch up with her on his stallion.
'Greetings my lady!'
'Greetings warrior of the order..'
'Why, did you not go to the meeting?'
'Meeting?'
'Yes, the High Priest is having a meeting with lord Amunsol..'
She turned her horse around and hit her heels hard on its sides, face contorted with rage. 'Is this then how you are going to play this, my 'love'? A puppet to cuddle by the fire? If you ever fooled yourself into believing I will follow blindly and watch you do what you do.. without knowing the reason behind it - you are wrong.'
The horse raced as memories swam before her mind:

The trade wasn't going well that evening. It never seemed to go well, especially with gems. The world of beggars and hungry dogs. There was more coin to be earned by selling food than jewelry.
Mandisa exited the Trader's post in an annoyed mood. For her it hasn't been too bad. She managed to get quite a bit from this, but it mattered not for it all went to the High Priest. She gave him gold, and he seemed to make it disappear. There was no point in asking where he spent it for it would be the same reply:
'Do you not trust I do Set's will?'
Well she saw better ways of doing Set's will lately. She shook her head - thinking about that made it hurt.
There was usually nothing interesting or noone special on the plaza in front of the river. Not this evening though. She couldn't believe her eyes. She hasn't seen him in ages.
'Lord Amunsol! What a.. pleasant surprise.' Mandisa bowed to gree the leader of the Order.

She stretched her legs out and the setting sun reflected off the smooth skin. The waters splashed gently against the stone walls of the docks, the shouts of the trader's were dying out.

She didn't even feel like making the journey back to Sepermeru. The tiredness was all-consuming. And why? Surely not because of that small journey to tackle another frost-covered ape. No it was something else.

The priestess took out a leather bound book from her bag, an ink bottle and a quill. She put an inkbottle right there next to herself, not disturbed by any as she was sitting so close to the water. Her eyes grew thoughtful, thinking, trying to sort out what has happened. She finally dipped her quill and started writing..

Excerpts:

They waited.

Some were silent. Some softly preyed to their gods. Some told soft jokes to friends as they checked over their kit, one more time. All were listening for the warning from the sentries, for the barked orders from the NCOs, the quiet commands of the officers. Their garb varied from plate armour to robe, mail shirt to leather jerkin, as  did the weaponry; the common thread being the insignia of a golden lion on a blue shield and the look of determination across the assorted visages.

I followed Lord Amunsol on a borrowed mount and blind-folded.  He did not want me to know exactly where the Blade Fortress was hidden.  Once we had arrived and the gate secured behind us my blindfold removed.  Amunsol spoke with the captain of the guard and pointed to me.  The captain approached and without word merely glanced at me from the ground up then strode off with his patrol.  I stepped towards Amunsol.  "What was that all about Lord?"  "I wanted him to know who you were, you are welcome here and will be protected by them while you stay here."  Lord Amunsol said with no emotion.

October 27th

I laid there at the castle approach in a pool of my own blood.  Having just been attacked by three would-be robbers that had been run off by this impressive group standing over me.  I managed just barely to open one eye and see what must be some kind of nobleman adorned in a purple robe and brandishing a sword that had seen much blood.  The man turned to beautiful woman at his side, words were said but my moans were all that met my ears.  The lady, Stygian by the looks of her, stepped to me and after some chanting to her God Set, I was healed.  The robed man waved her back then extended his hand to aid me to stand. 

*Auorix sends out the carrier bird with the note to the Order of the Blade explaining to instruct the Order and its allies to not attack him on sight upon receipt. He is no longer a member of the King's Guard*

*Fearing the bird would fail at its task, he set out to pass the word to the proper authorities personally*

[Auorix]: I was told I might find you here
[Auorix]: Forgive me for disturbing you
[Amunsol]: Ah yes, Sir Engel.
[Amunsol]: Please, have a seat.
[Auorix]: I had to make sure my note was received
[Auorix]: Thank you
[Amunsol]: Not at all, I was expecting you, actually
[Amunsol]: I am sorry if you are not accustomed to Stygian ways, and may find the seating arrengements difficult at first.
[Auorix]: I have had campaigns in your lands before Lord Blade. I have my old armor on from those days as well since I have lost the plate of the guardsman
[Auorix]: It is appropriate for fighting in these climates

A meeting of the officers of the King's Guard in the Armsmen Tavern after the murders last night as witnessed by the staff and patrons.((Sat night))

[Thorious]: Auorix...
[Auorix]: Have I no trust from my own order?
[Auorix]: Forget a moment they were Order of the Blade...what would you say if I told you I defended men from being murdered in the streets?
[Thorious]: Forget that they are order of the blade?
[Thorious]: These are enemies... who are on the attack on sight list by the command of Challa
[Auorix]: Yes, would it be so wrong or uncommon of me to tell you on any given night I defended the innocent?
[Thorious]: By the the command of our king.
[Thorious]: Your saying they are innocent?
[Auorix]: Our King still honors a banner of diplomacy Thorious
[Thorious]: Tell me what happened.
[Auorix]: No, I am not in the least implying they are innocent...I am making a comparrison