- Kateri Peitas
Kateri pondered Lord Lionheart's plan and intentions. The recent outbreak in the Wolf's territory has been a matter of concern for the Church. While unsafe for lone missionaries, under the Lion's protection... Once again looking to the fire, her faith compelling her forward.
"That is a worthy endeavor Lord Lionheart. No man who embraces His eminence allows for despair in others in need. I would be honored to accompany your delegation to Mount Lykaion. However I will need to inform my company, who will seek the approval of the Order. No matter their decision, I will go where I can help. Unfortunately war is inevitable. If mankind is to survive we must fight. This too is the God-Emperor's will, to prepare us for the true enemy. First we must unite, weed out the wicked or unworthy, and then we shall have our audience with His angels. So it has been told.
Was there any thing else you wished to discuss?"

<Maximilian Lionheart>

"No, but... I seek your blessing. Not for myself, not for my wife. I am certain you know also the curse Lady Lionheart had seemed to undergo. The eight dead children of ours? I would appreciate if you could give Richard your blessings. He is just two years old now and he seems strong enough to truly grow old and one day take the throne. While my current son may be good at war, his personality is rather unfit for politics and peace. His mind is like a whirlwind, bringing chaos to wherever he goes. But Richard... I believe he would be more fit, he has that... Aura. If he can grow to the age of fourteen at least in my lifetime I can make him heir and ensure that House Lionheart is in good hands." Maximilian didn't say it with ease, so much is clear.

All knew about the Bastard son, for the ruler left no room for secrets in his family. But it was not just that, but the intention to skip him and make the younger son the heir. This could bring more trouble than good, but if the firstborn knew what was for the greater good, then he would accept, additionally it would give him a good excuse to become and stay Supreme General and walk in the flames of battle, rather than stay at home and write letters to people he doesn't truly care about.

<The Morning Overall>

Investigation of the Guttenberg Kidnapping ran into nothingness so far, given that there were only rumors no proof. Given the attention required for the tournament and such, this was further pushed back and seen as mere rumor and perhaps even a prank. (@Grall_Stonefist ; just a FYI)

The Heinrichs finished their breakfast in relative peace. Oliver was not to be found near their quarters or so though and nobody had of the family had seen him so far in the morning. (@Donairian )

The Lionhearts probably disbanded as well from their breakfast table once Uchiha left and went to do whatever they did, while Maximilian had his conversation with the saint. (@lord-watchman & @Casavay )

The other families also finished their breakfasts and went to their duties. The Hohenzollern as usual to training. The De Vergara to dig into books and visit the local libraries, offer knowlegde and discuss what they know and don't know. Especially the Glowstones were more than interested to take, rather than give knowledge.

Other lower nobility houses such as the Mayers, Wildhaut, Bryo and Ovarikus which were somewhere between small folk and little houses such as the De Vergara and Cao were coming in quite en masse to trade, drink and celebrate. What exactly? Go figure. But the tournament was quite anticipated across the lands, one could tell that much.

So far there were forty-two knights registered for the jousting tournament. the pot for the ten-on-ten battle had over a hundred names alone, and in the 'King of Hearts' tournament, where one would fight over the hand of Delphi had over six hundred registered names alone. The archery contest had so far around sixty participants.

As for what happened beyond the reach of Lionheart.....


<Lykaion>
The disease spread further, but was kept out from the bigger encampments. Those with symptoms being kept away. So far said early symptoms were fever and paleness. Whereas much later necrosis would occur. Flesh merely dying as if eaten by the air.


<Noctiger>
Assassins send to other realms and the armies mobilized, to strike from everywhere and nowhere at the same time. The seeds were planted, soon the harvest would come...


<Kharonis>
With the barbarian armies ready to march, last drafting and equipment procedures were completed. War was soon upon everyone. Strike before being stricken. While the family arranged to send someone to grow the Kharonis tree within the family of the Lionhearts by sending a champion of champions to win Delphis heart.

xalia returned to her unit of twenty swordsmen and started the after breakfast exercises each of her soldiers doing five sets of twenty sword swings with a break in between each set, some of her soldiers managed to keep up with her pace of sword swings the others were one swing behind at the most.

"good work men, when the war comes we shall work together and for that we must trust each other" as she spoke she looked at her second in command a swordsman by the name of darthor "darthor how do you think the men are doing now that they are used to this unit"

"if i may speak in truthfulness, we are geting used to the idea that if we wanted to try and take you out of comand we would lose half of us in the process" as he spoke he laughed "that and none of us would dare take on the warior princess again after the last time we all tried that on your first day incharge of us"

Having just finished breakfast Samuel like some of the rest of the family wondered where his brother had gone off to, it was unlike him to skip a family meal unless he was presently engaged with something else more concerning and knowing his brother Samuel knew that could be any number of things good or bad. His family hadn't talked much about it during the mealtime not even making any mention about where he could be suggesting that even they might not know where they have gone possibly, how was Samuel going to fight against him in the tournament if he was going to suddenly disappear before it happens?

Samuel sighed as he wandered aimlessly though the living quarters, he made his way toward his dormitory to retrieve his gear from its proper storage, with nothing else to do presently he may as well resume his search for Marshal Glowstone. The shadowy figure had dismissed the idea as meaningless folly but in Samuel's eyes what else was he going to do in the meantime? Even if the concept of family retribution was meaningless to his unknown benefactor he must have a concept that to do nothing would be equally as bad, possibly even folly in and of itself.

Having equipped all his proper attire with the exception of his Zweihander Samuel marched out of the room and into the great hall, he was going to find Marshal Glowstone today if he could before the tournament began, if Hildegard asked him about yesterday it would be relatively easy to explain his fortunes while he was now presently resuming his obligation. He had kept his steel knife just in case of unpleasant circumstances although against someone like Glowstone it would take a real fool to mess with a Heinrich.

- Kateri Pietas
Standing up from her comfortable seat, Kateri took Maximilian's hands into her own. Smiling serenely as she stared into the Lord's eyes. Her dark green eyes searched the troubled father.
"You do not betray your son, or rob him what is not his to take. You are the Lord of the Lion's Den and this territory. In such turbulent times, the right choices will never be easy. In the God-Emperor's name, I pray for your health and spirit. May he find you worthy and able. For your family and those loyal to you. Amen."
Kateri seemed to glow as she spoke. Giving off a calming aura to ease Lord Lionheart. Finishing, she released his hands and bowed. Though she was a saint, her actions could still have been recieved as forceful.
"Please pardon my sudden prayers. If it suits you, I would be happy to visit your wife and youngest son."

<Ser Trowa Barton>
"If that is not the young Heinrich boy." The Ser from the northern coast of the lands of Lionheart said as he came from another entrance and met the gaze of Samuel as he turned. "Are you participating in the King of Hearts tournament? Or do you not even bother, given that Oliver would spank your butt with the flat side of his blade after he brought you down on the ground?"

Trowa said with a grin, approaching the man, extending his hand for a shake. "Apologies for the bad joke, but if half the land speaks about the Heinrich brothers, one cannot resist." Ser Barton was one of the lesser known knights, but still quite a capable warrior. While he lost most of the time in the early rounds of a tournament, he did good jobs at leading troops. His title of Ser was given when having saved the life of his general by taking the blade into his chest instead of his lord and actually having survived it and fully recovered after a month of coma.

<Maximilian Lionheart>
"They both should be in his room. I would gladly lead you. But I fear I only had this limited time for you. The preparations for the tournament... Still so much to do And of course, I am sure the Lieutenant would have a pleasure guiding you around our beloved home." Maximilian sighed and groaned from tiredness as he rose from his seat. He gestured the way to Richards room before bowing deeply. "The God-Emperor protects."

The appearance and greeting of the knight had surprised Samuel but not truly caught him off guard, he had too many strange encounters yesterday to let the emotion surface on his face instead he smiled as the knight drew near he had heard the tales of this particular knight before once or twice. Glancing quickly at the mans hand as he held it outright to shake Samuel's he could see little to judge that this was anything other than a friendly visit, he made a point to make this conversation quick if he wanted to continue his plans for the early parts of today. Reaching his own hand to shake Barton's, Samuel responded.

'Given the pressure I have had recently to join this particular Tournament I would consider it a greater challenge to back down against my brother in the face of the Heinrich reputation than actually beating him, so yes I am joining this upcoming tournament I just have a few things I need doing first.

Also the reason he beats me so easily is because he knows my way of fighting inside out, Oliver does have a fondness for mastering new ways of fighting which is both why he retains the role of Heinrich champion and why I am often less than able to effectively anticipate his next move in a brawl.'

"Then perhaps just get him a pretty lady before the tournament, perhaps he will be busy all night he will be too tired for the tournament!" The Knight laughed, supporting himself with one hand on the shoulder of the young Heinrich, laughing truly rather hard. Did he drink already? His breath didn't seem like it. Perhaps he still was drunk from last night.... Or his humor was just... Unique.

"Either way! You should trust more into your skills and care less about others. I was a mere random foot soldier, look what became of me! Or look also to Ser Roland, having been a darn Peasant and now he is Supreme General!" The man grinned and just waved as he took his leave. "Got some training to do, come by outside the Lion's Den if you want to join, I am going to be all day there.... And probably a whole bunch of others too." He shrugged and started to march.

From the corner of Samuels field of view he could see a shadow move, at the other side of the room...

'Farewell Barton, mayhap I shall see you in the coming tournament I will be looking forward to it.'

Before Samuel could resume his search for Marshal Glowstone he noticed the shadow flit across the shadows in the far side of the room which made him pause before he left the area. Was it his unknown benefactor? if so its penchant for subterfuge left much to be desired if it was trying to discreetly follow him if Samuel's own limited experience in such activity was anything to go by unless of course it wanted to let him know that it was there watching. On the other hand this might not be the same mysterious figure rather the agent of another house seeking to further its own ends, whatever that purpose whatever that may be if it involves Samuel or he had just unwittingly cornered the agent would be completely unknown to Samuel.

Thinking about it Samuel decided that whatever it was it was interaction with it would possibly not yeild any valuable information and also cut into valuable time in searching for Marshal Glowstone, if his benefactor wanted to talk to him it would have to use a means of communication more obvious that simply lurking unseen in a corner. He marched off searching the corridors once again for the elusive lord.