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Post by Vince Altus on Jan 3, 2012 18:19:11 GMT -6
Vince crossed his arms and leaned up against a tree. His mouth was a thin line, he tended to tense up when he was thinking. Truth be told, the sudden wealth of information left him a little overwhelmed. He closed his eyes, ignoring both of the strangers before him as he gave himself thinking space...
*FLASHBACK*
Vince awoke with a start, the firm, steady banging on the door was unmistakeable, but he hadn't seen him in weeks. The door cracked open, bringing the light of day with it, in stepped a tall, broad figure. "I see you've been sleeping well," the voice had a measure of mirth to it. Vince cringed and sat up to salute the man, but a vicious pain in his torso forced him back down. "This isn't a formal visit, don't worry about it." The man's heavy armor clanked as he grabbed a chair sitting on the other side of the room and pulled it up to Vince's bed. "What do you mean...General Lector?" The chair creaked as the armored man took a seat, Vince's mentor merely shook his head.
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"Etruria destroyed our capital and yet you refuse to retaliate! Why!?" Lector's fist crashed down on the table to punctuate his demand. The Marquess of Santaruz, acting leader of the Lycian League, didn't even react to the noise. The affairs of the struggling country and the unexpected burden of leadership were taking a heavy toll on him. "We don't have the strength," his voice was thin, his eyes dully regarded Lector.
"What do you mean?" Lector was on a roll, "you seem to forget we established a garrison in Araphen for a reason!" He gestured over his shoulder to Vince as he said this. He had requested Vince to come along with him as his attendent, Vince considered it a great honor. "And you seem to forget, General Lector," Marquess Santaruz addressed him in a flat tone, "that half of our force was decimated along with Ostia!" The name struck a nerve in Lector, his stared down into the table. Marquess Santaruz continued, "The only way we could dream of countering is with the aid of our Eastern allies...particularly Bern, and we haven't heard anything from them..." The room got quiet again, Lycia and Bern had always been on uneasy terms, to say the least, it posed quite a dillema. Lector stood up with a determined glint in his eyes, "then send my man." Vince was astonished to find that Lector was pointing at him.
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Vince opened his eyes slowly. The reports of the dead, of the wreckage, of the foul devils that had engulfed Ostia, Vince knew what he had to do. "I appreciate your warnings, but the decision has been made. I fight for Lycia, and there's no turning from my duty." Vince frowned as he remembered the blustering politics back home. "I fight when no one else dares, for whatever it may be."
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Blasius
Mage
RETIRED
"With the Prophet guiding my feet and St. Elimine lighting my path, I cannot fail."
Posts: 13
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Post by Blasius on Jan 5, 2012 14:32:49 GMT -6
A wave of relief washed over Blaise as the man accepted his story. In his mind he said a quick prayer of thanks to St. Elimine for protecting him, but he was not yet completely at ease, his eyes drifting to the man’s spear as Blaise listened to the knight speak. They snapped back to connect with his as the mage nodded in response, accepting that the man was suspicious. Blaise really couldn’t have expected anything less after stumbling on his failed first attempt at a lie.
Blaise also shook his head to confirm the man’s observation that he wasn’t Bernese, though he wasn’t quite willing to give up where he truly was from. Instead Blaise stayed silent, listening to the man as he continued to speak. Though he felt even more foolish for his first story after finding out the man was Aidan, the embarrassment quickly faded as the man went into a bit more detail about why he was in the town. This sounded a lot bigger than Blaise had been led to believe by his contact who had given him the mission.
He felt excitement build in his chest though he kept his expression neutral as the man told them they would be in danger. Danger was of no concern to Blaise; he was a mage, so he had the means to protect himself. And while he would prefer to stay alive, he knew that if he did perish he would die in the name of the Prophet and St. Elimine. There was no greater honor in Blaise’s eyes, and if he had to die in order to find information needed to further the Prophet’s cause, then so be it.
Of course, all of these thoughts would remain internal. If these men found out Blaise’s true motives, they would be the enemies who wouldn’t hesitate to slay him. After the Ostian spoke up, Blaise waited a few minutes before making his own voice heard. “The only place I have left to go from where I stand is the Great Void. Leaving would simply mean avoiding a fate that is unavoidable. If I am to make amends before then, I can only do so here. I’m no fool to turn to my back on a chance at redemption.”
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Post by Syana Flamberge on Jan 9, 2012 12:06:51 GMT -6
Syana blew a kiss to the remaining soldiers before taking off after Saturos. She smirked to herself. Idiots. She followed close behind Saturos, knowing he had some sort of plan. Soon after, he kicked open a door and slipped inside. Syana followed quickly, closing the door behind them. "Secret for you, Mr. Kick-Happy. The door was unlocked." She gave a giggle and shook her head. She walked over and bopped him on the head. "And that's for putting yourself in a stupid situation like that." She looked down. "And now my clothes are all ripped because of those idiots." She sighed. "I don't suppose you have a thread and needle by any chance?"
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Aidan Lowell
Griffon Knight
Symbol of Rebellion
Ten years is far too long to be a stranger in your own home.
Posts: 265
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -4
Profession: High Consul in the Bernese Senate
Affiliation: Bern
Affinity: Thunder
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Aidan Lowell on Jan 10, 2012 13:26:21 GMT -6
"I expected as much. No one ever leaves when I ask them to." It was almost humorous, but he didn't laugh. Far too serious of a situation to laugh. Instead he simply nodded his head and watched the forest walls. Waiting for Saturos to return. "I would ask you two to think it over more, but I severely doubt that even with my repeated plies, your minds will change." They never do.
"I am honored to have people as driven as you two to desire to work with me." He thought for a second and looked right into the man who joined not long ago, right into his eyes. He was a bit shorter then Aidan, which was a welcome change from Saturos, Lyar, and now Vincent who all towered over him like some kind of behemoths. "However... I don't believe we've been properly introduced. I'm Aidan Lowell, from house Lowell of Bern. Not the most respected name nowadays, I'm afraid." He extended a gauntleted hand towards the man. In his other he held his lance, ever-ready. Never be caught flat-footed, the words of his trainer still echo in his head.
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Saturos Prox
Swordmaster
The Wildcard
I'm almost incapable of lying. I'd be a terrible spy.
Posts: 351
Etruria Fame: 1
Profession: Undercover Operative
Affinity: Anima
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Post by Saturos Prox on Jan 11, 2012 0:38:35 GMT -6
"Always with the hitting," muttered Saturos, rubbing his head in mock pain as he looked around for the quickest way out. He could hear soldiers shouting and stomping as they scuttled past the door Syana had just closed, and gave a small sigh of relief that they hadn't decided to check if both he and his red-haired companion had ducked inside. That gave them a few minutes at least. "And for your information, if there were any malcontents waiting for me inside, that kicked door would have surprised them at the very least."
The myrmidon rubbed his chin, staring at the room before him. It was a small, empty little place, furnished with only a table, a couple of chairs, an unlit fireplace, a dusty old wardrobe, and a small bed made of straw. There were no living people to be seen, and judging from the furniture, there was only one person living here, if any. Saturos then moved over to the window, and wiping off a layer of dust with his forearm, peered out of it. The guards in the town were mobilized and moving about, no doubt looking for him, which didn't leave them with a lot of options. The most obvious route would be a straight dash for the gate, if they hadn't locked it down already, but that was obviously rife with problems. No, he'd be doing something a little more intelligent.
"Syana, would you happen to have any rope?"
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Blasius
Mage
RETIRED
"With the Prophet guiding my feet and St. Elimine lighting my path, I cannot fail."
Posts: 13
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Post by Blasius on Jan 19, 2012 15:15:24 GMT -6
Simply glad he had been accepted by the man rather than gutted by him, Blaise nodded as Aiden re-introduced himself. He was also nearly jumped when the armored man extended a hand to him, half-expecting him to try and take him down right there. You have to relax, Blaise, the mage thought to himself, trusting these men is all that will keep you alive right now.
Blaise quickly reached out and shook the man’s hand. He tried to match the man’s grip, which was firm and confident. “Blasius Maro, but just call me Blaise. And that’s unfortunate; according to that man in the square it seems your name should be one of the most.” After another quick nod Blaise dropped his hand from the handshake, moving his hands to straighten his cloak. “So now we wait for your friend?” Blaise posed his words as a question even though he knew it to be more of a statement, but he didn’t want to seem like he was distancing himself by remaining silent after almost everything Aidan said.
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Iorran (Tirion)
The "Before" years
[M:5]
Only united will we find salvation.
Posts: 88
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Post by Iorran (Tirion) on Jan 24, 2012 12:51:04 GMT -6
(OoC: Aidan gave me the go ahead to join. Hope I haven't stepped on any toes by making the little house belong to Tirion. It was the best way I found for joining the thread.)
Iorran gingerly stepped around town. Well, as gingerly as a man his size could. Normally, on his way back from shopping he'd stroll around more casually, but this was no ordinary day. The whole town was in an uproar. For good reason, too. Aidan himself, the leader of the rebellion, made an appearance. In the short time since Iorran had settled down in the town, he'd heard many rumors of the man. He never quite understood why he hadn't heard of him before, being Bernese born and bred he figured he'd have heard of a freedom fighter like he. Though he seemed to have many gaps in his knowledge. It was odd to say the least, but he tried to not let it bother him.
Iorran wasn't quite sure why he was sneaking around. Perhaps it was because he supported Aidan's cause. He knew that the guards couldn't read his mind, but he couldn't help but feel paranoid. All he needed to do was make it back home and he'd be able to ride this out. But what he wouldn't give to meet the man! To join his rebellion! Iorran was in a different square than the one Aidan had made his speech so the giant of a man wasn't able to present himself to him. Perhaps some other day.
Finally, Iorran spied his little house and sighed. Why did he have to live in a place like that? He began to think that maybe he should look for mercenary jobs. He was opposed to killing for money, but what else did he have? Trying to live on a tavern bouncer's salary was difficult to say the least.
The swordsman got close enough to the door to notice it cracked open. Did he leave it unlocked again? Damn it all. But then he heard voices coming from inside the house. Iorran cautiously stepped to the door and grasped the knob, holding a stale bread roll in the other hand.
"I hear ye in there. T'ain't got nothin' ta steal so I suggest ye leave before I give ye somethin' ta cry about!" Iorran slowly opened the door, the old hinges squealing from years of wear and rust. He brandished the roll like he would hold his blade. The giant lied earlier. He did have a few things to steal. His sword being one very important thing he was unwilling to part with. He just hoped the thieves hadn't found it yet. As the door swung open, the thieves were revealed. A man and a woman. Both with painted faces. They didn't much look like thieves. For one, they were well armed. Most thieves prefer to conceal their weapons. No. There was something else going on.
"Yer not thieves, are ye? What're ye doin' in me house, then?" he held the bread at arm's length threateningly, "Answer."
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Ralph Meglane
Rogue
The Sightless Wanderer
Dishing out his own brand of justice.
Posts: 276
Etruria Fame: 1
Affinity: Wind
OoC Alias: Sarria
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Post by Ralph Meglane on Jan 24, 2012 16:23:33 GMT -6
Ralph was still at the gates of the city, now pacing up and down alongside the road. The guard watched him warily for a short while, but figured the young man was up to no trouble. Ralph could hear the guard shift his feet occasionally, perhaps the man had been at his post for too long.
Come to think of it, how long had the city been closed off now? There hadn't been any other soldiers come by to say they had captured the rebellion leader, or that he had escaped.
Something was going down and still going down. Perhaps the leader was evading capture, but found himself unable to leave the city? After all, he didn't know that he had a sympathizer on this side of the wall, ready to help out. There was no way for him to know.
Ralph listened to the still city, waiting for the sound of soldiers in armor to rush this way. If that was indeed the situation, Ralph had a plan already cut out. If not, he would have to improvise, like usual. Being blind sucked. All the more reason to find the Fire Emblem and get the information about a cure out of Dave.
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Aidan Lowell
Griffon Knight
Symbol of Rebellion
Ten years is far too long to be a stranger in your own home.
Posts: 265
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -4
Profession: High Consul in the Bernese Senate
Affiliation: Bern
Affinity: Thunder
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Aidan Lowell on Jan 24, 2012 18:26:24 GMT -6
"The Lowells are known as traitors to Bern and Ilia. One of the first things that happened when the Bandit War ended and we fell under to sovereignty of Ilia was my family being reduced to nothing but peasants. We aren't even nobles, not anymore under Ilia's rule. We've always been protectors of the crown, generals and dukes. They were probably afraid of us starting a rebellion, a fear that... appears to have been well founded." He let out a small sigh, trying to think it all over. "Now that we are under Ilia's rule and Sasuke sits in our castle as if he owns it, anyone who takes up arms and fights against Ilia is considered a traitor and no longer a member of Bern." He crossed his arms, trying to explain the situation to Blase who seemed woefully uninformed.
"I'm not the head of my house, that would be my sister, Iris. She's been found to be a heavy supporter of the rebellion, and now so am I." He would of laughed if it wasn't so pathetic. "So now the Lowells are taking the face of rebellion. Me especially it seems. Just saying you're me causes soldiers to drop whatever their doing to try to arrest you, as you saw earlier. Something that's only going to get worse, and will eventually bleed over into you as well as long as you stick around me. We won't be able to enter any towns not being controlled by the rebellion, and those are few and far apart." He crossed his arms and let out a sigh, shaking his head. That archer who helped in his rescue briefed him on the current situation of Bern and it's rebellion, in addition to what he heard in prison from other prisoners and soldiers who just loved to taunt him. Of which they were many. If they were going to be coming along, it was best they knew the situation for themselves. It was obvious now, from the minute he entered Bern that becoming the face of the rebellion was Iris' ambition all along. The events at that town and at the arena only prove this. It was obvious why she chose Aidan instead of anyone else, instead of her herself. She could... she could always get him to do whatever she wanted. Damn it. He might be the face, but she was the one who was really in charge.
"But yes, for now we wait for Saturos. I know he'll make it. I have no doubt in my mind." If he had been the one arrested, he'd be able to get out of it and escape by his self instead of having to wait for someone to rescue him. That man commanded a lot of respect from Aidan.
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Post by Vince Altus on Jan 29, 2012 17:40:17 GMT -6
The respect Vince felt for his fellow knight grew as he listened to his tale. Highborn knights sworn to protect the realm and the crown? It was excellent. His admiration turned to pity as Aiden described his family's descent after the Ilian occupation. He could relate in a weird sort of way, after the fall of Ostia, Ostian knights went from being peer soldiers in the Lycian military to odd misfits. Nevertheless, being hunted down was a different matter entirely. But still...
Vince frowned, "Why would the entire military be on the look-out for one man? What role do you play in the rebellion that makes you so sought after?"
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Aidan Lowell
Griffon Knight
Symbol of Rebellion
Ten years is far too long to be a stranger in your own home.
Posts: 265
Bern Fame: 4
Illia Fame: -4
Profession: High Consul in the Bernese Senate
Affiliation: Bern
Affinity: Thunder
OoC Alias: Elias
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Post by Aidan Lowell on Jan 29, 2012 18:03:12 GMT -6
"I'm not... entirely sure to be honest." He shrugged, looking at the man who asked the question. Pondering it for a second, it was obvious why he was being looked for but the sheer extent they were going was a bit staggering. He stopped for a second, thinking it over when it all came together in his mind. "I just recently escaped from the prison in Bern, while I was in the jail I hear there was much publicity going around painting me as an influential member of the rebellion. Using my name and my face as an easily recognizable symbol of the old Bern, and of the rebellion. I was to be put to death, for treason. They made into a figurehead while I waited in there, so they could kill an influential member of the rebellion instead of what I really was." He grabbed his chin thoughtfully, thinking about it all.
"Of course they wanted to kill an influential member from the public's standpoint. It would scare them, if someone as influential and high up as who they said they caught, an old noble who's name all of Bern would recognize, was caught, killed by Ilia... Well what point was there to even bother trying to fight?" He punctuated the end with a shrug. It made perfect sense in his mind, why kill someone uninvolved when you can make them believe he was important? He became a scapegoat, plain and simple.
"Only now... Now that I've escaped, it's all working against them. Now that this influential man they said helped command the rebellion escaped from right under their noses right before his execution, I've become quite the Symbol of Rebellion." He had a small, almost twisted grin. "I will fight for Bern, fight with everything I have, and if Ilia's mistakes will make that easier... I'll accept them."
"So now, I suppose I've become quite the celebrity. That's why they want me so bad, they desperately are trying to cover their tracks and rectify their mistake. A mistake that, I hope, will be their downfall." Now the rebellion wasn't such a laughing matter, now the rebellion wasn't just a bunch of isolated incidents and groups. Now it was a credible threat that Ilia has recognized.
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Saturos Prox
Swordmaster
The Wildcard
I'm almost incapable of lying. I'd be a terrible spy.
Posts: 351
Etruria Fame: 1
Profession: Undercover Operative
Affinity: Anima
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Post by Saturos Prox on Jan 30, 2012 2:31:52 GMT -6
"I hear ye in there. T'ain't got nothin' ta steal so I suggest ye leave before I give ye somethin' ta cry about!"
Saturos froze at the shout, his fingers gripping into the edge of the windowsill. Slowly, the myrmidon turned to meet the gaze of the man shouting at him as the door to the house slowly opened, and was greeted by the sight of a muscled, red-haired man aiming the tip of a bread loaf at him. Saturos couldn't help but eye the bread amusingly, and though he tried his best to take this newcomer seriously, it may not have shown.
"I'm sorry, my good sir," said Saturos, bowing his head as he kept his hands held up in the air. "I meant not to intrude." The myrmidon paused, cocking his head. "Well, no, I guess I did mean to intrude, seeing how I willingly ran in here, but I do mean no harm." He lowered his hands and nodded at the bread pointed at him. "So saying that, I would like to suggest you lower your weapon. Perhaps then we could talk." Saturos knew the bread posed little threat to him, but people were much easier to talk to when they weren't so apprehensive. "I assure you, I'm little more than a wanted man."
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Iorran (Tirion)
The "Before" years
[M:5]
Only united will we find salvation.
Posts: 88
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Post by Iorran (Tirion) on Jan 31, 2012 4:58:18 GMT -6
"A wanted man?" Iorran lowered his "weapon" and placed it in the burlap sack slung around his shoulder. He ducked to enter the doorway, a daily annoyance he'd learned to live with. If he wanted a house that could accommodate his size he would have had to pay quite a bit. The giant shuffled his way to the dusty table in the house and set the bag down, proceeding to kneel down on the rug next to it and start the fire in the fireplace. He poked at the still hot wood from the last fire and and stacked some new wood he was keeping in the bag on top. The giant struck a piece of flint with a steel tool, sending sparks into the wood. Slowly, embers began to form which caught fire to the new wood and then became a decent fire with some help from some prodding and blowing from Iorran.
"Wanted fer what? Don' tell me yer with tha rebels in town." Iorran hid his excitement at the idea. If these two were truly with the rebellion then maybe he'd be able to join. To distract himself from showing his anticipation for the answer, he took a twig and the long pipe laying on a shelf. After lighting the twig with the fire, he lit the dried leaves in the pipe. A long draught of the smoke entered his lungs. The taste was mellow. He didn't know why, but he always felt a bit disappointed whenever he had a smoke. As if there was a kind of leaf he knew of that he loved, but was never able to find. Perhaps in a past life. Still, a sigh left his lips as he exhaled the white smoke.
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Blasius
Mage
RETIRED
"With the Prophet guiding my feet and St. Elimine lighting my path, I cannot fail."
Posts: 13
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Post by Blasius on Jan 31, 2012 12:36:25 GMT -6
Blaise listened carefully to Aidan explain the situation. Now Blaise would have been a fool if he didn’t know of the rebellion going on in Bern, but almost everything else Aidan was telling him was completely new information. When the mage had helped these two men he hadn’t realized their importance; while Blaise wasn’t sure what the Ostian’s role was yet, it was Aidan he was truly interested. He thanked St. Elimine for blessing him with a place so close to what seemed to be the center of the action, knowing that this kind of thing only happened thanks to divine intervention.
The Etrurian nodded graciously as Aidan answered his original question and then remained silent as he and the Ostian began to converse. While the conversation so far had done a good job of getting Blaise up to speed with the current situation, he was certain all of these things would be known by his superiors. It was quite odd, the way the agents were thrown into the field; it was a strange occurrence when an agent received more than a keyword or a person to look for. Unfortunately it did lead so some of the more weak-willed men and women to become enamored in the world they had to become a part of and learned so much about, and they were the defectors. The higher-ups simply saw it as weeding out the faithless, and Blaise had to agree.
But he couldn’t help but see why this man Aidan had been chosen as the Symbol of the Bern rebellion. While earlier he said he was not the cleverest of people, he certainly was charismatic. Once his suspicions of Blaise had dropped off, it was quite clear that the man was trusting, and he was also quite relatable. Ilia had indeed made a mistake by choosing him to be a “pawn” in their plot to kill the rebellion, as it was quite easy for Blaise to see why someone would follow Aidan to protect Bern.
While Blaise knew he couldn’t remain silent for much longer, he held back for now, knowing that he didn’t want to reveal more about himself or get attached to these men quite yet. He knew he would have to open up a bit more eventually, but for now he would take the cards that had been handed to him.
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Saturos Prox
Swordmaster
The Wildcard
I'm almost incapable of lying. I'd be a terrible spy.
Posts: 351
Etruria Fame: 1
Profession: Undercover Operative
Affinity: Anima
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Post by Saturos Prox on Feb 3, 2012 0:57:56 GMT -6
"If I said I otherwise, I'd be lying," replied Saturos, shrugging. Seeing the the red haired man grab his pipe relaxed him, as if the man was in the mood to smoke, he wasn't in the mood to fight. That was good, because the myrmidon wasn't really in the mood to fight either. "But I probably shouldn't have told you that. You could be some sort of Ilian undercover agent precariously planted here to catch me doing who knows what." The Eturian shook his head as he sat down on the edge of the nearby table. "Obviously you don't look the part, but that would be genius of it."
Looking back out the window, then down at his waist, Saturos fingered the hilt of his sword. He'd draw if it came down to it, but hopefully they could avoid such violence. That was where the myrmidon saw an opportunity. "So tell me," he began, coolly, "why are you still here? You don't look Bernese, so wouldn't it be in your best interest to go get the guards? After all, you wouldn't want to be branded a traitor. Would you?"
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