Mists over the Musarde, Chapter Five

[Le Noir Faineant]

Red flames sparkle from the half-elf's eyes, a moment later,
Cirdan has jumped out of the circle of his friends,
his shield with the symbol of the Eternal Order before him,
and his new shining blade in his hand.

Should the time remain for it, he will put on his helmet with the Gorgonic face on it.

[Batman voice, Cirdan's special ability KNIGHT'S CHALLENGE:]

"You call for death --- HERE I AM!"

[Adam]

"STOP THIS FOOLISHNESS NOW!" Bennedict shouts, throwing himself now between the mob and Cirdan.

"Norzak! Get that idiot boy out of here before he makes this riot any worse!"

"You people!" he says, looking the mob in the eyes. "This man risked your lives on your behalf. Whatever has become of him, it was in service to you, and to all of us! Is this how you would thank him?"

[JMaytr]

"Idiot boy?"

Jonathan snarls at Benn.

"I also risked my life for these people! And for you!"

He points at Benn and then Cirdan.

"This is how i am repaid for trying to shield these people from harm? I am attacked? By a supposed friend who calls me traitor? I think Cirdan has mixed up the meaning of that word for surely, HE is the one who has betrayed this party and these people."

[Adam]

Bennedict turns, leveling a finger at Jon. "This is happening as a result of your actions, boy. You started this riot. If you do idiotic things, do not be surprised when you are called an idiot."

[JMaytr]

"If me wanting to go somewhere safe is idiotic so be it. And I meant no riot to begin, It was the actions of Cirdan that caused the folk here to get upset. I just want to go home, not to make anyone here fight."

[Adam]

"You want to go someplace safe?" Bennedict is incredulous, nearly spluttering his words. "You think that traveling through the mists is SAFE?!? Frankly, from the tales I have heard, we would be safer wandering out into the woods weaponless, shouting for Van Deicks to walk out and face us, than wandering into the mists without an experienced guide. Dorgio, despite your prejudice, is NOT a vistana. He is no more able to navigate the mistroads than you or I." He turns, lowering his voice to try and not project it through the crowd. "Telling these people to travel the mistroads is providing them with nothing but false hope, and you would KNOW that if you had spoken to us first rather than riling up this mob."

[JMaytr]

Jonathan looks sheepishly to the ground.

"You are right Benn, I am sorry. I am just so scared. Van Dieks is after me still I can feel it. I didnt mean to make them all as scared as me. But what Cirdan did was wrong. He had no right to hit me and scare everyone with his eyes and voice. Or call himself death to them."

jonathan rubs the large welt on his cheek.

"we have all ben through alot and our nerves are frayed. We should all relax a bit and nurse our wounds."

As Jonathan says this last part he wonders if it is too late to repair the damage cirdan had done.

[steveflam]

Norzak will walk slowly up to Cirdan, his eyes not betraying his rage at the elf. He unsheathes his blade. In a very loud voice he will say to the others. "Leave now. Take the boy with you, Benn and Dorgio. Go lad, take everyone back home, now!"

He spits on the ground and looks with contempt at Cirdan. "Awright bub. Ye hit a boy. I bet yer feelin like a real man now, ya dumb bastard. I aint afraid of ye.

I accept yer challenge, ye mamby pamby runt. Do yer worst."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

Over the dwarf's shout, it's hard to tell what Dorgio is mouthing, but odds are it's obscene. He gives Benn a brief, exhausted look, and then steps between Cirdan and Norzak. He plants his spear tip-first tot he ground, and then stretches out one arm towards the knight, and the other towards the dwarf.

"It this what it is coming to? Are we surviving Malreaux, The Doctor, Renault, Van Diecks, and the Witch Queen, to undo each other? Cirdan! If you are having an accusation, make it, but this is not the way! Norzak! You are throwing your life away in a face-to-face fight like this. Are we children? Will this always be ending in bloodletting?"

[steveflam]

"Hey, he hitted a boy, tha goat scum! I might not be a good person, but I'd never knowingly harm a child. Outta me way. He canna jess keep talking like a monkey and pretend ta terrorise us with his red eyes and squeeky voice. He better apologize ta Jon or I'll kill the bastard myself." He spits on the ground and glares at Cirdan, gritting his teeth.

Ordering his shadow If he even tries to come to attack me, get im from behind, but good.

[ewancummins]

The men coming to Jon's rescue hesitate at the sight of Cirdan's naked blade. The move out, surrounding the knight but keeping their distance. All have knives at their belts, but none have drawn these- yet. None wear armor.

Ottokar remains near Jon, standing a little in front of the boy with both feet firmly planted. The big, bearded man keeps his eyes on Cirdan.

A graybeard elder approaches the scene and says [in that queerly archaic Darkonese dialect used here]:

''Answer the dwarf.''

Wat takes hold of Alain's right arm and leans to whisper to the blind man a description of events as they unfold.

[Le Noir Faineant]

Cirdan, the sword between himself and the peasants,
eyes Norzak with an aspect of confusion.

[Normal voice:] "For Ezra's sake, man, I don't understand what you are saying! 'Hitted', is that a noun or a verb? Is 'pamby' supposed to be an offense? - If you mind until I chop the head off these villagers, I will give you satisfaction for whatever you deserve. Just try to speak a language I can freakin' understand!"

And to the village elder, in normal voice, but with a tiger's smile.

"If this comes to the worst, I'll skin you like a rat, old man."

Suddenly the fire in his red eyes flickers again, and the tone of his voice changes into a growling, again.

[Batman voice:]"Your last chance to leave without bloodshed. I won't have cowardly maggots like you have threaten me for the follies of a lycanthrope boy."

[ewancummins]

The elder speaks-

'No, monster, this is your last chance to leave. Get out of our Moot and never come back. You are no longer welcome among us.''

[Adam]

Satisfied that Jon is at least for the moment subdued, Bennedict turns back to the group. "If you will not explain yourself to these people, then at least talk to us, Herr Cirdan. We have been through much together. You owe us this much at least. What has become of you?" He steps forward, eying the half-elf's blade warily, keenly aware that his breastplate was still resting with the rest of his possessions in the moot-house. "Think of Evangeline, Herr Knight. Her heart would break if she could see you now."

[Brock Marsh Runoff]

"Yes, Cirdan, be thinking of Evie! And Norzak, what kind of example is this for the Jon? I know you are wanting what is best for him, but must every insult be answered in blood? We are knowing your blade and your temper are keen, Norzak, but all of us, including Jon, will be better off if you put both away."