Lady Lionheart

From the frying pan into the fire.
"Wed? The little overdue girl has a preference? Would you mind telling me of it?" She moved closer and leaned forwards into the group. "Do not worry for my ire; I am able to separate wishful thinking from reality... but maybe arrangements could be made."

Helga

"So that's what she was on about", the still mirthful woman mused. "I'd say she abhorred the mere thought that something could happen to you, misses, and even entertaining the short fancy made her sick with worry! You know she's an overbearing one."
Helga got up with visible effort and slowly walked across the room. "But you've got each other, don't you? And we've got each other, and that's four people already. Four is plenty to pass the time! Now, let us put Richard to bed and I'll see what we can do about that grounding, he?"

"You speak wisdom Lord,as always."spoke young Scholar as he added:"Tho...there are always those that are sick and injured,and they get killed also."sorrowfully added Antonio as if speaking from experience.
He didnt had the guts to be angry at Lord Maximilian.He loved the bastard in a way,thanking him for sheltering him and giving him resources to use for his great works.
Young de Vergara fell on both of his knees (better to say slumped on them),not caring for the pain and cold stone beneath his knees,and took one Maximilian`s hands with both of his arms,his face toward the ground.

"Pardon my foolishness o Lord.I am still young,and i thought this way might save as much lives as possible."added the not-so-much-young youngster.
"If it is thy will,may i take the remnants of my family to travel with me?They all are men and women of great knowledge and even greater experience.They will aid me greatly in curing the people of Lykaion."spoke Antonio still in his pose.His touch on the Lords fingers was gentle.It may be a foreign custom to ask in this way,for a blessing.It awfully coincided with begging for mercy,but who knows what other strange customs these Southerners have.

"Only one?" Lin scowled as she pushed herself in front to meet the blade head on. What was so far only a meager show of skill now became a full frontal attack, the girl showing why the men feared her wraith. She wouldn't brag of course (a blatant lie and she knew it) but when it came down to fighting in tight corridors, few could hope to stand against her and survive with their most precious body parts intact.

Feint to the left, thrust to the right, half step on the left following a pirouette and a downward strike straight at the man's temple. Short sword but still a clean cut, 7 centimeters inside his skull and down the right eye. Soft tissue bursting open, blood mixed with brain matter and ruined eye. Killer dropping second later, too slow though, allowing her to stab her blade through his neck horizontally and sever the spine. Twisting the sword in the wound, it came out right below cerebellum, the head lolling down on the floor.

Seeing that the young knight had it covered, Lin picked up the head and sat down at the nearest table alongside her two surviving men, the head being used as a pillow for her sword. "Bartender! Honey! One more round please, I'm thirsty as fuck!"

<Outside of Great Hall>
<Noble Girls>
"Well she was talking about Ser Roland..." One of them said, the others giggling, until she also broke into giggling. "Just kidding, milady. Your daughter desires nobody in particular, only one who would save her from monsters, beasts and simply be her hero. Like Lady Soritas being saved from the claws of the evil dragon, Slaan, by the oh so heroic and handsome and giant of a man, Ser Astartus."

"On the other hand, Lady Zhen Cao here is quite into Champion Uchiha like she told us." All the girls giggled while Zhen, completely embarrassed hid away behind the others.


<Richards Room>
<Delphi>

"Yes, yes. I know, Sister Knightess. I know mother just wants the best for us, it is just who would dare during the Grand Council dare to do anything? Now is the time of sticking together, not one of internal feuds." She sighed deeply, standing at the bed of Richard.

"She lost eight before him, of course she does not want to lose any of us living ones, but that doesn't mean we should have fun and ignore all worries." She reached for her sisters hand, squeezing it gently.

<Grand Council>
<Maximilian Lionheart>

"You have not to fall in front of me, young Scholar. I invited you, because I trust in your judgment. Now rise, for we are all equal in opinion here, just that my orders are last. As for your family, feel free to assemble a delegation of up to a hundred men, twenty of them shall be guards. You shall lead this group yourself if you desire once I have setup the warrant of control which you can present the Lykaions to prove that you are on a peaceful mission, and that the delegation must heed your words. I leave you complete freedom in assembling your force, but due to the expertise, I suggest you may take Samuel Heinrich as your guards leader and Marshal Glowstone as Ambassador." His eyes travelled to the Heinrichs and Glowstones respectively.

<Gerhard Heinrich & Lucius II. Glowstone>
Both lords nodded respectively.

<Others>
The Wuerrtembergs and Guttenbergs remained quiet. And some of those that were gone, came back after some time, obviously having been just on the toilet.

<Pi Cao - Head of Family Cao>
"Also, if the young scholar desires, he can take my third son, Taku Cao. He is a sage, quite talented and was always of a traveler, I am sure he could be to your use." The head of the family bowed in deep respect.

<Tavern 'Fight'>
But the Bartender was dead.

"But the Bartender was dead," Lambert repeated as he cleaned his sword, looking at the scene of carnage with disturbing calmness. "Well then, go and fucking get them yourself," Lin growled while inspecting a crossbow of the dead assassin, quite familiar design. In fact, she even knew the smithy where they were making those, since she got a similar one back with the rest of her stuff. "Lambert, next time you insist on going to a tavern with only our cocks as weapons, remind me to stab you real hard," she sighed as that was a signal for Stabber to get up and fetch them some booze.

"Dammit, I thought this new batch of mercs might last longer than one season, guess they aren't making them as they used to," she sighed as the alcohol arrived. "For the dead Rats! May they continue drinking beer in hell!"

"Cheers!" they shouted and drank up.

Further enraged by the death of the remaining nightwatchman Samuel strode forward towards the assassin facing him, with no further distraction and fully aware of Samuel's capabilities the trained killer danced around the swinging blade trying to find an opening with which to strike. Samuel's eyes glowing with rage he kept on after the Assassin attempting to corner the man as he marched forward swinging mercilessly with his Zweihander, even as the woman and the remainder of her gang finished with their assassin.

The death of the killer going after the gang leader finally caused the last assassin to trip up, unsure whether to go after the gang leader or the Zweihander wielding knight he hesitated in his movements allowing Samuel to finally stop swinging and punch the assassin to the floor with a haymaker from his right arm. holstering his Zweihander Heinrich knelt over the fallen man dragging him to his knees as he gripped the top of the mans head with right hand, with a cold solemn voice Samuel spoke clearly to the beaten man.

'Let judgement be served to you and all your kind who dare follow a life of crime peasant'

suddenly gripping the side of the mans head with his free hand Samuel twisted the assassin's neck with a horrible crack, the killers body rolled sideways onto the floor and lay still. Standing up Samuel observed the scene of carnage in the tavern, he sighed heavily as he looked at the survivors of the gang now lounging casually on the tavern bench.

'Justice has been served'

"Hey pretty boy," Lin waved Samuel over with her bloodied hands, "Come and join us for a drink. Since the bartender is dead he won't mind us drinking this piss," the gangers laughed and kept on drinking. "But seriously, I wanna know the man who strode in this tavern, and like a knight in shining armor, saved a damsel in distress!"

"If you are a damsel then I'm Lord Lionheart," Stabber sighed as he stared down in his glass.

Lady Lionheart

"The bastard is not my responsibility", Pythiaere replied coldly. She remained with the girls for a while, reflecting about what they had said. Delphi was getting old. At the girl's age, she had already given birth to two children. In fact, a number more...
Subconsciously, the lady placed her hand on her abdomen, the bloody pictures she'd have loved to just forgotten flashing inside her head again. Just to distract herself, she looked around the girls, who all seemed to be Delphi's age. "If you permit me the question, how comes so many of you have no husband yet? There are many suitors out there."

Helga

The matron nodded glumly. She remembered the time when little lady Pythiaere had given up on her ability to bear children sometime between the third and fourth miscarriage, and of course she remembered those that died in the crib.
But Helga was Helga, and Richard had been born two years ago now, so it didn't take a moment for her to turn back to her usual cheerful self, putting one of her large hands on Delphi's head. "And look how you turned out, will you? You're all going to have your own lives soon, and this is just the panic a mother has when she realizes her cubs are leaving the nest."
She placed her other hand on Xalia's shoulder.
"You are going to be a great leader of men and warrior, I'm sure! We'll hear of your exploits all over the land as you bring glory to the house of Lionheart. I know your mother's displeased with your decisions, but I'm sure when she sees just how great a warrior you'll become, motherly pride and Kharonis superiority complex (don't tell her I said this!) will win her over and she'll not stop going on about how great a warrior her firstborn is."
Giggling at her little jest at the expense of the children's mother, Helga looked at Delphi. "And you're going to make a man very happy someday, you know. I remember clearly when my kids were born, and I never felt happier in life, except maybe when I married my Thomas, God-Emperor bless his soul. The life of a mother and wife is something so rewarding, so great, and so many never come to know it. Just don't let anyone pressure you into marrying the wrong man!"
She grinned and moved backwards a bit, stretching out her thick arms as if she was supporting the romantic fantasy construct by her own physical power. "There is a man for every woman, even if they're separated by Houses or such nonsense, you know? But if you bind yourself to the wrong one, well, then you aren't going to be lucky. We all only get one chance."

At his father's request. Uchiha slumped down at his seat, slightly embarrassed by having to be tamed. Yes, that man was important and he probably was drunk, but that did not mean he could speak ill of the Lion's(Max) son. It would not be the first time his father left him out to dry. Never reinforcing his statements or confirming his claims. Like he would with the others...

He scratched his dark hair while the Lion spoke. Uchiha's orange-hazel eyes burned with excitement and a wide grin grew on his face. A idea had sparked when his father spoke of the delegation force. Maybe this could gain an ally and destroy an enemy.

"Father, I know the perfect men for the job. Most of the pride is...headstrong. I know of some men that are not only, more compassionate, but experienced and skilled warriors. If you would allow I would like to send these men. I only know of a few, so Samuel could select his own men as well." Uchiha asked his father. Making sure to sound soft and as a personal request.

'In accordance with the statute of Peasant conduct you are also guilty of disturbing the peace, however since you aided the law this day I will reserve passing sentence this day considering enough blood has been split tonight, your actions shall be passed off as self defense in the eyes of the law.'

Samuel stood looking at the woman, slowly but surely the inner rage inside him was wearing off and the fire disappeared from his eyes. sighing deeply he sat down at the table not really quite how exhausted he was.

'My name is Samuel Heinrich, son of Gerhard Heinrich and lieutenant general of the lions army. While the council discusses war policy I am left here cleaning up filth from the street like some common guard captain because like so much of the rest of those damned nobles they think I am too weak and inexperienced to lead an army.'