>>39171248
>> sit with the holy knights
I think these are the people Hugo would be most comfortable with and it would give us a chance to make amends with Joyce.

Maybe even soften up the Templars and other Holy Knights to aid Wilhelm

>>39171248
>> sit with none and take your meal with the servants and common folk of the hall, as is your rightful place as a low born squire

[Piety intensifies]

Fuuu, Crusader Quest starting just as I go to bed.

On the one hand, we probably don't want to turn down his invite and thus offend Gerard, who is notably prickly iirc. On the other, sitting with the others is a chance to drum up support for the campaign. Hmm.

>>39171248
>> sit with Lord Gerard and your brother
One does not dismiss the request of the Lord.

Jesus Christ HF, why now!

>>39171283
Hugo knows nothing of that if I remember correctly, secondly I advise more caution when dealing with ''Stylianos'' and promising nothing until we know what we are dealing with.

>>39171248
>> sit with the holy knights

>>39171248
>> sit with the holy knights

Drum up support with the order of knights.

Do our brother's will.

>>39171248
>sit with Lord Gerard and your brother
let's not turn down an invitation and shame Lord Gerard

Sorry for the shit run time. Just how it has too be.

>>39171248
> sit with the holy knights

Time to share war stories!

>>39171248
>> sit with the holy knights

correct me if I'm wrong but Sabeen should be accompanying Rodrigo I think Hugo would want to keep an eye on it.

>>39171248
>> sit with the holy knights

>>other
But respectfully decline in person to Lord Gerard and the count. Our brother can sooth things with our lord.

>>39171368
As a European i am quite happy about the time!

>>39171380
Rodrigo would be sitting with the Count of Foix

>>39171368
getting a thread as it is a rare thing currently I doubt many can complain.

>>39171386

I'm just happy its running.

>>39171389
thank you for the correction, Sabeen is with him right?

> sit with the Count of Foix and his Iberians
[Creepy stalking intensifies]

I'm getting lost with all the characters and the length of time between threads. Would a Dramatis Personae pastebin be possible?

>>39171406
Who is Rodrigo again? The guy she was kind of girly with before Hugo got her with with his practically divine display? Sorry, I'm usually good with characters, but it's late.

>>39171415
Rodrigo was the guy who was leading Hugo's group in the tourny and is currently in service to the count of foix. The Count of Foix is already an ally of Wilhelm

>>39171422
Thank you.

>>39171407
I'll look into writing one up after this thread.

>>39171406

Then it actually might be a good idea not to sit with the Count. With Sabeen there, Hugo might lose his head and cool again.

>>39171446

Need help? Why not anons contribute small mock write up on the characters and you can cherry pick and modify the ones you like.

>>39171466
Sure, I could always use a hand.

Question: Why is Elias so dreamy ?

>>39171407
>Wilhelm
Big bro & Pc 1 aka Bard knight Extraordinaire meets Cao Cao
>Hugo
Lu-Bu in training, Wilhelm s bastard Brother Pc 2
>Solomon
the brothers Nubian in arms currently back in Ramla training our levy's
>Chirizard
Wilhelms Yizidi concubine
>Orlando
little shit who betrayed us
>Jehanne & sir froggy
NTR the couple thanks to Wilhelm
>Lady lucca
Genoan agent who runs a whore house
>Rodrigo
Spanish crusader with a penchant for heathens apparently
>Lovetta
the Youngest of the princess of Jerusalem & Wilhelm's waifu
>Count of Foix
Wilhelm from future Bad end
>Lord Gerard
Tough business man

>>39171447
yes and?

>>39171483
get out of here Ntr-kun

>>39171490
Now now, Orlando redeemed himself

>>39171506
>implying Bitches shouldnt get stitches

>>39171515
But he already got stitches, remember ? That Assassin cut his belly up

>>39171521
>implying bitches don't deserve MORE stitches

>>39171529
Solomon pls go

>>39171521
>implying that wasn't his plan to get back into the inner circle for some serious payback for Fulk and himself

Well Elaine is probably going to be overjoyed that Hugo chose to sit with her.

>>39171531
Fight me Heathen

>>39171490
>>Orlando
>little shit who betrayed us

Levantine Knight from Sidon, stripped of his lands by his cousin, followed our party to Jerusalem where he betrayed the covenant to Queen Melisende to King Fulk. Following the successful overthrow of the King, was disgraced and sold his weapons and arms. Finally redeemed himself and showing himself a brother in spirit by throwing himself in the way of an assassin's knife meant for William. Rejoining the flock following the attack, he now serves as a loyal, if unskilled, retainer.

>>39171531
Solomon was one of the best rolls ever; Cicero Wilhelm, Shiva Hugo, and Solobro make the best family ever.

>>39171561

Never forget Franz.

>>39171561
Has Chiri begun working on those genius trait bastards yet ?

If not, get to work Chiri!

>>39171568
And Welf

>>39171541
I'd forgotten who she was. Sabeen a best for Hugo, nigger.

>>39171577
That she is, but she is not the one he is going to marry

>>39171573
I miss Welf.

>>39171588

I miss that man buggering bastard. What a fighter.

May he rest easy in Jerusalem.

>>39171585
I can't see Hugo getting married. He's slowly getting PTSD, and I think the only solace he'll find is being with Wilhelm, being with Sabeen, or being one with the battlefield.

>>39171606
>I can't see Hugo getting married

Do you think he has a choice ?

>>39171573
>>39171588
>Remember Welf
>Our dead Karling
Fuuuuu-

>>39171558
>Orlando
>loyal

Pick one

>>39171568
>Franz
an ex-Jew powered by the lord, apparent Bro of our father

>Welf
mah nigga RIP ;.;

>Elaine
Potential yandere loli/future wife of Hugo, younger sister of a Templar
>Etaine
Frank knight in Wilhelms service has a kick ass stache & spurrs that jingle jangle
>Jacques
Hugo's friend & Etaines squire who swears like a moor
>Sabeen
Daughter of Malik, Hugo's battle waifu
>Malik
Mercenary in the Employ of count Hugh of Jaffa, gave Wilhelm a basic 101 to the Holy land, hates everything that is absolutely Haram

>>39171613
No. But I'm thinking Wilhelm would do better for Hugo, even knowing that responsibility.

>>39171621
but malik isnt that bad.

>>39171621
Malik is a bro, dude.

>>39171639
He's a bro, that doesn't stop him from hating haram shit. Like dancing and booze.

>>39171639>>39171647
I never said he was he's just a wahhabi Muslim

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahhabism

Will Wilhelm get his Kingdom, or will he carve out an Empire?

>>39171671
King of Alexandria get hype!

You decide to sit with the knights you had crossed swords with the day before.

It was as much for comfort as company. You found yourself more at ease around others who took the martial lifestyle than you were around the perfumed men and women of the court. Your coat was made of maille rather than velvet, and your rings were steel instead of gold. All the chatter of this bit of falconry and that bit of courtly poetry grew on your nerves like an angry, pulsating tumour. To find men of more similar character, who when they talked you heard in their voice the crush of spear and press of bodies in the meat of combat, let you know that you were surrounded by your fellows.

So you made your polite acknowledgement of the other invitations, and declined each. The heralds that had been sent to fetch you departed with irritation, but you didn't pay it much mind. Instead you dressed for company. A simple long tunic, your hair brushed carefully. Not over dressed but not clad in beggars cloth. You felt along your jawline for the faintest brush of the lightest blonde hairs. They had started to crop up last week. You thought about taking a knife to them, but at the same time it made you smile to feel whiskers under your thumb.

Before you left Chihirizahd came. She smelt of perfume, like the lightest spice, her hips all swathed in clinging silk. You smiled at the sight of her and she smiled at you, dipping forward to check your hair and correct your collar.

"You look a fine young Frankish gentleman," she said in that fluid but accented Latin of hers, "All the girls will swoon tonight."

You breathed, forced a grin. "Thank you," you said, giving her a slight tip of your head.

File: laughing cao cao.gif (1.9 MB, 320x200)

1.9 MB GIF

>>39171671
>Implying he wont do both
>Implying we wont pull off Pic related against Zengi

>>39171682
>Your coat was made of maille rather than velvet, and your rings were steel instead of gold.
Heh, look at our little badass.

>>39171682
She pressed down the cloth on your shoulders. "Soon enough you will be a man grown, I hope to see what kind of man you will be," she said, and then she pinched your cheek, "But do not be in too much of a rush to grow up just yet." Then she winked as your brother came to take her by the arm. Tall, powerful and dark. Wilhelm gave you one of his crooked-dog grins as he passed, ruffling your neatly groomed hair. They left together to seat with Lord Gerard, sharing whispers that brought a chuckle from him as they went out the door.

You hoped when you were full grown you might be half the man your brother was.

In the mean time, you had to make do with who you were.

You shadowed your lord to the feast hall, but peeled off to head the opposite side once you arrived. You glanced to the tables, all laden with plates of food. Steaming frsh cooked meats and platters of sweet fruits. Pitchers of wine and beer both with fine ornate goblets for drinking. The guests as colourful as the performing entertainment, tumbling acrobats that worked with silk cloth ropes that they twined about each other, forming strange shapes. A man kept a monkey on his shoulder, feeding it dates plucked from the platter in front of him.

Wilhelm was taken by the hand with Lord Gerard, offered a seat next to a pale faced boy. They were all laughs, with backs slapped and wine offered. Your eyes roamed to the Count of Foix, that pressing bulk contained in his own brought chair, sitting with his Iberian companions. He saw you and gave a small toast of his goblet. His knight Rodrigo sat with Sabeen for company, and they spoke over a shared slice of beef, the bard Marcabru beginning to strum upon his lute.

>>39171704
Did he lean close and did she pull away? You were not close to get a good look. Was she flustered by his attention, or annoyed? A worm crawled into your belly but you ignored it.

That was your last vision as you ducked down a side corridor, a glance of Rodrigo's hand on the back of Sabeen's chair.

Your companions would not be spending this night in revelry. This evening were more taken to the religious aspect of the feast day. They would not be in the feast hall. They had a cloistered area, and when you entered you saw them knelt in prayer. Though of different Orders they prayed the same, upon bare knees on the hard stone ground, before an image of the crucifixion. Joyce knelt in the middle, and before them knelt a scarred old priest. They prayed silently, reflecting in the sacrifice of the lord.

Three ranks deep of knights and serjeants, heads bowed in prayer.

> join the prayer
> just watch

>>39171719
>> join the prayer

>>39171719
>> join the prayer

Make a good impression

>>39171719
> join the prayer

>>39171719
>join the prayer

>>39171719
>> join the prayer

Both Brothers are alike. Time to pray.

>>39171719
Think you might aswell begin writing the next part

This is without a doubt my favourite quest.

Hmmm... how many bastards is Hugo going to have, and how many will his brother provide for?

>>39171789
None if he can help it & he certainly ain't Wilhelm

>>39171789

Very few, if any methinks.

He'd have a good number of kids though.

You found a patch of ground and knelt beside an aging serjeant. He had a face all cut up, lined with wrinkles and scar tissue. It made the eye on the left side of his face droop, like a finger puling at the corner, giving him a lop sided view of the world. He gave you a companionable nod of the head as you went to your knees, hands brought up before you. The man was not unusual. This was a seasoned company. A body of faces malformed from war, restitched by surgeons working in the field. Reset limbs some times reset awkwardly. Crooked fingers and oddly angled knees. The older, the more broken down.

And there weren't many of much greying age, it was the wear of battle that had aged them.

It was quiet. Only the sound of breathing, a muffled cough, could be heard.

You closed your eyes and supplicated before the Lord, offering up to him your own young, limber body beside these more seasoned fellows. Christ had died for you, and you may have to one day do as he had and die for your Christian brothers.

It was that thought you prayed upon. The quiet of the chamber despite the ranks of men allowed your thoughts to expand before you, and take hold over your silent prayer. You had not met the infidel in the field since the raid on those Turkish slavers in Jerusalem, but you were eager for it. You remembered the attack on that camp that had earned you some little glory. The way those Turks had corralled Christian folk, intending to make of them like livestock at a market. They had visited upon those poor folk such evils, and you had brought those victims out of their plight, brought justice down on the Turks.

But you also remembered the aftermath, and the rape the Englishman had attempted on one of the womenfolk. You had stopped him, given him a beating that had eventually claimed his life. You remembered standing alone against him save for the support of Elias of Maine.

>>39171929
"Half my army are rapists" you remember King Fulk saying, and remembering those words made you troubled. His was a Christian army. Yet they were consumed by the same evil as the Turk. The desire to visit cruelty upon the most helpless. It wormed into your heart that memory.
Would that God could come into them when the violence had ended, and bring their minds back to a Christian sense of the world. He knew something of the way the flesh played after a battle. You were drunk a little, heedless. Plagued by hard desires. It took a lot of effort to keep from giving in. There was some times that a lust would came upon him after a battle. A pressing urge for sex after cheating death. He'd find a place to releave himself, a private shame.

He should be better than that. He shouldn't feel such things as he did, and when he did he felt a low dog.

And it was for those things. The killing, the lust, the living, to which he prayed. Prayed for forgiveness, and prayed asking for Christ to let him understand it.

This prayer was hard to keep, and no answers were quick to manifest in his mind. He opened his eyes when the priest last spoke.

"Amen," and they made the cross, climbed up off weary knees.

You climbed up as well, blinking out your eyes, unsure of how long you had been kneeling.

Soldiers helped one another stand as a few somber faced assistant entered, bringing in a pair of long tables and seats, setting them with bread and watered beer. The soldiers of Christ all sat. No one seemed to take precedence over another. They seemed relaxed, quick smiling to their friends as they offered one another humble conversation. The priest broke the bread and ate, sharing his plate with Sir Joyce. The man waved you over, smiling through his wiry brown beard.

"Good of you to join us," he said, offering you a seat, "What do you think of our humble ways?"

> I'd have preferred the feasting, far too somber for me
> austere but fulfilling, I liked it

>>39171942
>> austere but fulfilling, I liked it

>>39171942
>> austere but fulfilling, I liked it

>>39171942
>austere but fulfilling, I liked it

>>39171942
> austere but fulfilling, I liked it

Hugo is not a person of court and intrigue.

>>39171942
>> austere but fulfilling, I liked it

Hugo should be praying by the sword like a good sword saint

>>39171942
> austere but fulfilling, I liked it
Hell, even I would prefer this over a day at court.

Be back in a sec

Just remember guys, if anything gets fucked while we're Hugo, it better be Sabeen.

On that note, really, don't fuck up.

>>39172051
dammit anon you jinxed it

You thought about your answer, but didn't think on it long.

"It was pleasant," you replied, "I found it much to my liking."

Joyce's smile turned into a grin as he bit through the crust of his bread.

"Then you are one in a hundred, to prefer this to the courtly celebrations," the priest said. The old man looked you up and down, caressing the whiskers that grey in a long goat's beard down from his chin. "You are too young for holy oaths yet, but when you come into your knighthood perhaps you should consider joining one of the orders."

Joyce swallowed the morsel of bread he had been chewing. "It's something to think about," he said, "But remember you can join as a layman as well. It isn't necessary to jump right onto holy oaths of poverty and chastity."

"Though it is preferred," the priest added with a look of disapproval aimed at your host. The priest looked back to you. "Still, you are young yet. God will show you your path in time."

"If I am lucky," you replied, which seemed the right answer to the pleased reaction of your companions.

You broke a roll of bread and ate the soft white belly. It was very simple fair, even for road food it wasn't particularly astonishing. But you were happy to eat it and to down their thin beer as well. It wasn't food meant for campaigning. It was to reflect at least on some small measure the hardships of Christ and his apostles. An emulation of a humble existence even if tomorrow they would be dining on red meat and rich wine.

There was little conversation save the mutters between old neighbours as you went through the meal. Grunts and the sound of chewing was about all you could make out. A sharp fart from the priest. When you were done and the servants had come to take the empty plates, Joyce clapped you on the shoulder.

>>39172051
Beer goggles are an Irish girl's greatest tool.

>>39172173
"We had planned a little wrestling match," he said, "To liven up the night. We aren't all prayers and bread. What say we go a few rounds, aye?"

He stood before you with hands upon his hips. He had size and weight in his advantage, you'd be hard pressed to match him least of all defeat him. Still, you had some experience wrestling. Solomon had shown you some of the wrestling methods of the Nubian highlands, and Sabeen had provided some instruction on the Turkish style of grappling (you recalled that oiled match quite fondly in your bed chambers some nights)

What say you?

> I might watch
> I'm up for it

>>39172197
> I'm up for it

>>39172197
wrasslin?
WRASSLIN!

>> I'm up for it

>>39172197
>I'm up for it
STRUGGLE SNUGGLE!

>>39172197
>> I might watch

>>39172197
> I'm up for it

Time to show what we have learned

I'm imagining Hugo remembering sabeen during the match and inexplicably getting hard.

>>39172270
>inexplicably

HA!

Roll 1d100, average of three

Rolled 85 (1d100)

>>39172321
>Average

oh shit

Rolled 87 (1d100)

>>39172321

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>39172321
I sense danger

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>39172321

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>39172321
Sorry for bad rolls

>>39172334
you ruined our spree anon!

>>39172325
>>39172330

>>39172334
>>39172341
>>39172343
Looks like the algorithm is fucked.

That grouping is insane.

>>39172325
>>39172330
>>39172334
>Average=71

not bad success if nothing else by my guess

>>39172366
Dont think we are going to win. But we are going to impress.

>>39172366

Hugo is truely Medieval Lu Bu.

Daily reminder Sabeen a shit

Sir Joyce squared off against you, the men filled in forming a ring, watching with contained amusement. No one thought you would win. Frankly, you didn't either. Still you weren't one to surrender ground. You raised your hands, he raised his. And you closed in for the grapple.

If Joyce had thought it was going to be a fast match you were happy to disabuse him. You came in close, buckling his grip inward as you moved to grab at the front of his tunic. He pushed you back and took a hold of your shoulder, trying to wrestle you around. You near pulled you from the ground, and you got a little dirty when you pushed in and offered him a knee to his belly. But fighting was a dirty business. He grunted, and folded onto you, pushing his superior weight to throw you back, interupting your knee strikes. He closed around your shoulder with a strong hand, grabbed you by the front of the shirt with the other.

It was the leg that struck out between your own that proved the lever that had you tipping backwards, saying goodbye to the solid footing on the hard stone. You cracked on the hard stone and gave a painful hiss as you bounced on your arse.

Sir Joyce offered you a hand.

You took it, and came up fast to try and get him down. You muscled into his hard belly, turned and tried to heave him over your shoulder. But he was not some lean muscled Syrian girl. He was a broad chested Templar, and your technique was wasted when he broke from your grip and reversed it, bringing you down again, this time on your back with a knee placed to your chest to keep you pinned. He had your arm in hand and gave it a small but painful twist.

"You've got piss and fire lad, piss and fire," he said approvingly, "But a man knows when a fight is fruitless, and gives ground. Remember, we pick our battles. We do not let our opponents pick them for us."

>>39172581
And he released you. Something in his words you suspected was meant for the watching brothers-in-arms, but you took it on board. Your arse still smarted from the first drop, but you resisted the urge to rub it. If you felt embarrassed, none thought you had performed poorly. Joyce rubbed your back and offered you water. You drank thankfully.

The knights and soldiers left the chamber, many heading back for an early sleep. Unlike many others present they had martial duties on the morn, caravans to guard and other such missions, heading out to every corner of the holy land to protect the pilgrims that flowed through the hard scrub land.

Joyce was personally bound up for Antioch, you learned, to lend weight to a band dealing with some Turks/ And if that went well would return to the lodgings in Jaffa in a few months to rest before heading on to Jerusalem for Christmas.

It was a similar story for each of them. None were in any one place for long, save those Hospitallers that were taking on the role of guardians to the poor. Some would remain in Sidon, but most were again bound for the north and north-east to support those outposts beset by Turk raiders. Few had thoughts on the South, and the danger out of Egypt. It was the Turk that consumed their activity at every turn.

You could scarcely blame them. The Turk struck deep and seemingly without impunity, disappearing into the hard lands like dust on the wind when resistance was offered. A slippery enemy.

"But when the time is come we march against any foes of Jerusalem," Joyce reassured you, "Be it Egypt, Turk, or even Roman. We will preserve this land or fall with it."

You leave their company feeling emboldened by their purity of mind coupled with their purpose. It was a good life to serve one of the Orders. Be it Templar or Hospitaller, or one of the other orders that seemed to be cropping up at every turn of the head.

>>39172589
"If I were to take oaths, I wonder which would suit me?" you thought aloud as you walked down the corridor. The sound of drunken festivity carried along the halls of the castle as you wandered, lost in daydreams of holy chivalry.

> a Templar, a poor brother of the temple of Solomon who would be a sword on the road defending the pilgrims
> A Hospitaller, a poor brother of St John who would care for the small folk in both war and peace

>>39172579
You're fucking insane.

>>39172606
>> a Templar, a poor brother of the temple of Solomon who would be a sword on the road defending the pilgrims

Hugo is a warrior. If he were to choose it would be that

>>39172606
>> a Templar, a poor brother of the temple of Solomon who would be a sword on the road defending the pilgrims

>>39172606
> a Templar, a poor brother of the temple of Solomon who would be a sword on the road defending the pilgrims

>>39172606
>Other
>Neither a pursuit of martial mastery worthy of the angel Micheal himself.

>>39172606
>> a Templar, a poor brother of the temple of Solomon who would be a sword on the road defending the pilgrims


>>39172636
Or this.

>>39172636
this

>>39172636
we sword saint now?

Supportan'

>>39172636
God's Sword is a go.

>>39172589
>"Be it Egypt, Turk, or even Roman. We will preserve this land or fall with it."
>Grinning Lion.jpg

>>39172747
We have to set up a meeting with the Grandmasters. We can do it the same time we send a request for an audience with the queen. Using our time in Jerusalem as good as we can

>>39172761
agreed with any luck we will have gathered more friends than any other contender for the title of commander,so the queen will have no choice!

You pictured yourself a templar upon the road, wearing the red cross, a sword of justice against the Saracen. You thought about it, but as your imagination reeled off the many exploits of your imaginary future self, your exploits grew as well. You gave up the cross of the Templars, to be a sword alone and unparalleled. You pictured yourself alone against hundreds, with nought but a sword, the single thing standing between the hordes of the Moslem against the Holy City itself.

Your blade would part mail like cloth, and cleave helms. You would splinter shields and tread upon the broken remains of cruel heathens. You would be an unstoppable juggernaut, bound to no earthly institute but your life given to God alone. Unmatched in his eyes and in his service upon the earth

And in your victory you would be offered sweet reward as befitting the sword that had rescued all that was holy. Prestige, and honour, and in the corner of your mind you flirted with the idea of women filling your bed chamber.

You were not beholden to holy oaths like a Templar after all. And your adolescent fantasy for a second was taken from the bloody thrill of battle to the hot rushing thrill of woman flesh in the bed chamber. Perhaps you would have just one woman, or two, or three. You stopped and grinned at that thought.

Then you shook it away with a laugh, knuckling your brow. Maybe there would be women. Maybe there would be glory. Maybe there would be battles that became legends.

The future was known only to God.

All you could be sure of was the sword you would hold when you walked forward to meet it. You would hone it. You would be ready to meet it.

And you would not walk in fear of death or defeat. There was only victory, and beyond victory the paradise promised to all men of Christ.

And for a time your heart beat with a righteousness, until you turned a corner and came back to the world of what was real, and not the dreams within your head.

A man crouched before your brother's door, working the lock. He was dressed in plain brown with a drawn up hood, a dagger hanging from his belt.

You were unarmed.

> declare yourself to the man
> attack, damn the risk!
> sneak away and find your brother
> other

>>39172789
>> declare yourself to the man

>>39172789
> attack, damn the risk!

We are armed and armoured right ?

>>39172777
Haha Hugo is such a chuuni

> attack, damn the risk!

AVAST YE ROGUE!

bets on this being an assassin?

>>39172797
Nope.

>>39172805
change >>39172797

to
> sneak away and find your brother

We have to warn him

>>39172797
>You were unarmed.

> attack, damn the risk!

element of surprise & all that

>>39172789
>> sneak away and find your brother

>>39172789
> sneak away and find your brother

>>39172813
Please don't. Hugo's good, but he's unarmed.

>>39172789
>> other

Observe & follow him inside where you can arm yourself & even the odds

>>39172837
this sounds safe & smart

>>39172837
eh, why not

>>39172837
I'll support it, but we really need a weapon.

I'm getting an awful feeling about this.

Goddamn Assassins, what did we ever do to them?!

>>39172937
killed two of their agents & protected our waifu?

You decide not to strike, though your first instinct is to leap upon the man and try to subdue him. Instead, before he can note your presence, you step back and turn, taking quiet flight back toward the festivities.

Rather than make a scene with some head long rush, you slip into the feasting hall and make your way quickly up to the head table as if you were to attend upon your brother. You were, though not in the manner most would think. You had no way of knowing who this padfoot was. If he was some hireling of a guest, or some agent of an enemy, or some opportune criminal. Still, you think it best to tell your brother.

You find him at the seat beside Lord Gerard. Lord Gerard seems more interested in conversing with Chihirizahd than he is with your brother. His hand upon her thigh, a laugh on her lips. But you see her eyes dart to you as you approach. Though she does not stop being simply 'enthralled' by Lord Gerard, you can tell she knows there is something amiss, and her eyes dart over to Wilhelm.

Wilhelm, for his part, was speaking with a young man only a few years your elder, but the conversation broke off on your approach. He looked to you quizzically.

"What's the matter?" he asked in German.

"Someone is trying to break into your room," you answer hurriedly in your mother tongue.

Wilhelm forces a smile.

"Forgive me gentleman, I have to go drain the lizard," he says, whistling as he pulls on his crotch to the riotous drunk laughter of the nobility.

As he starts away you see Etienne stagger from his seat, acting drunker than he was and following behind. Then joined by Sabeen, who smells faintly of wine as she falls in beside you.

That made your nose wrinkle. She wasn't the sort to drink alcohol.

Your brother motioned for you all to approach with caution, a soft approach lest you alarm the intruder.

You follow your brother up the hall, and to your door.

It stands open, but you can hear the man within.

> switch back to Wilhelm?

>>39172942
I meant recently. Those guys sure know how to hold a grudge.

>>39172949
failed to die?

>>39172948
>> switch back to Wilhelm?

Yes. This requires cunning

Did everyone die?

>>39173020
Assassin got them i assume

>>39173020
No I think no opposed the decision to swap

You are Wilhelm of Ramla.

And there was an intruder in your room.

You couldn't see him. He had hidden himself upon your approach. But he was still in there. Either in the antechamber or your bed chambers. You stood with Sir Etienne, Sabeen and your half-brother Hugo, waiting at the open door to your quarters. Etienne had his sword drawn, Sabeen had a carving knife in hand. You had not gone armed to this festivity, and cursed yourself for that now. Your Damascus blade, worth a fortune, was locked in a chest in your bed chambers.

It could be the target of this man. Or his intentions could be even more sinister.

You had enemies after all. Some with a great deal of money and power to throw around. It was lucky Hugo had come upon this man when he had. If he was a hired killer it was better to be forewarned than to defend yourself in an ambush.

The doorway stood open, the thief somewhere within. That thresh hold seemed more ominous now. Such a mundane thing, but now it seemed a marker between safety and danger.

What would you do?

> send one of your men in to apprehend the thief (nominate)
> go in yourself
> go in all as one

>>39173121
>> go in yourself

''1 minute if you hear nothing come in yourself''

>>39173121
>> send one of your men in to apprehend the thief Sir Etienne

>>39173121
I am unsure, why the heck didnt Wilhelm bring his sword that idiot. He knew Assassins was around

>>39173121
>> send one of your men in to apprehend the thief (nominate)
Etienne.

>>39173121
>> go in all as one

>>39173161
to be fair we didnt know they would have a backup

I have a really bad feeling about this

>>39173121

All at one time isnt exactly a good idea.

We should just go in, us and Hugo. 2 v 1 and both brothers have fought along side each other to know how each other moves. This means that we won't hesitate to support each other which can happen if the combatants are not too familiar with each other.

"Etienne," you motion to the door.

He nods. With sword drawn he enters.

It isn't long before his call comes.

"Nothing."

You proceed into the antechamber. It is empty save the knight that had searched it. Your eyes saw nothing missing. Everything was as it had been on your departure hours earlier. The door to your bed chamber is closed.

> search the room just in case
> open the door to the bed chamber

>>39173291
>> open the door to the bed chamber

>>39173291
>search the room just in case
traps(and not of the greek kind) will be found

>>39173291
>> search the room just in case
>> open the door to the bed chamber

Delegate searching to Sabeen & hugo, Etienne helps us with the Bed chamber

>>39173307
Supporting this

>>39173291
>> search the room just in case
>> open the door to the bed chamber

Both, we have enough people here to do both.

>>39173307
yup

>>39173307
>>39173315
sounds like a plan

You give quick orders for Sabeen and Hugo to search the room, while you and Etienne approach the door. He stands on one side, you stand on the other. You exchange a look. Etienne raises a brow and his sword along with it, face otherwise still.

You turn the handle, and push the door inward.

Whoever he is, he's standing by the bed going through your personal things. Tossing aside a pair of britches, riffling through pouches. Dumping coins out on your bed. He isn't even pretending to be scared, or turns an eye to you until he is done. The chest with your Damascus blade stands open, the sword untouched.

When he drops an emptied money purse on your bed, he turns to you with a sigh, a frustrated frown on his face.

He is neither tall nor short. Not particularly built. A plain faced man trending towards ugly, perhaps a little dusky skinned with black stubble cropping on his jug-shaped jaw, he blinks at you and your knightly subordinate. The knife dangles from his belt undrawn.

"Evening," he said with a touch of his forelock. His voice had a rough texture to it. It fit his lumpy face.

"Good evening," you replied, "I don't suppose you have a good reason for being here." None sprang to mind on your part.

"No, it's what it looks like," he replied, gesturing to the scattered goods, "I am a thief by trade, and was going about my work."

"And what were you hoping to steal?" you asked.

"Information," he replied, "Not my usual stock, but the coin was good."

"And that coin belonged to...?" you ventured.

The man grinned. "That's between me and them," he replied. He looked up to Etienne and straightened up. "If that's all the same to you, but a professional has a code about these things."

>>39173474
You nodded. "That's understandable," you said, "Though you couldn't tell me at least what information they were after?"

The thief shrugged. "I don't know, what's it worth to you?" A very brazen question from a man whose life was in your hands.

You gritted your teeth as your thoughts ran wild with theories. You couldn't fathom just what he was about, or what he was looking for. It was giving you a mild head ache just thinking about it. Perhaps he was just trying to stall you for time.

> I can give you your life
> enough of this, Etienne apprehend him

>>39173486
> I can give you your life

Granted. That doesnt mean he wont be punished. I have a feeling this guy is sent by the Romans

>>39173486
>> I can give you your life
>> and prehaps employment for you & yours if you so desire

> I can give you your life


>>39173503
miiiight be a bit early for that kind of talk

>>39173553
>implying he gets to live even if he accepts

>>39173567
Ofcourse, thought that was a given

"I can let you live," you said.

He laughed. A genuine belly laugh, right from the gut.

"Oh, you can. Long enough so that my employers can come along and do for me anyway. I'm a dead man no matter which way its sliced," tears of mirth beaded his eyes. When he blinked them away he looked over to you. "It's a generous offer, if it is well meant. I might as well offer you something. It isn't about you. In this you are as much a pawn as I am. We're both just bit parts on a larger stage. Knowing this has kept me alive. Until now at least. Guess my luck just took that wrong corner this time."

He sighed, and drew the dagger from his belt.

"If I go fighting, mayhap they will be kind," he said.

And then he lunged.

> grapple the man
> Etienne!

>>39173642
> Etienne!

>>39173642
>> Etienne!

>>39173642
>> grapple the man

>>39173642
>grapple the man

>>39173642
> Etienne!

We have a bodyguard for a reason

Funny how every time we visit Sidon someone tries to kill us.

And oh yeah. This is about the Roman girl

"Etienne!"

His sword cuts out before the thief can take the full step, a diagonal slash. The head near comes off as the sword passes through the neck, stopped at the last by the bone of the spine. The dead thief collapses into a twitching pile, blood pumping from the neck across the floor, across your shoes.

Whoever the thief was, you'd made of him a corpse.

You nudge the body as it settles in its death throws with the toe of your boot.

Etienne cleans the blood from his sword before returning it to its scabbard, sniffing disdainfully at the mess he had made.

"The servants will be most displeased," he remarked, "Blood can be a pain to get out."

"Yes, Etienne, that's certainly the most pressing issue at the moment," you replied, wiping the sweat from your forehead. He had come close to killing you. This was becoming a distressingly common event. It certainly warranted a hard drink or two. Possibly three.

When you came back out you did so with your sword at your belt. You had no intention of ever being without it for now.

"Anything?" you asked your friends.

Hugo shook his head while Sabeen tisked, running a hand down the stone wall.

You sighed. A damn shame. Maybe there could have been a way to learn more from the man. Torture, or possibly brought to see reason.

Ah well, nothing for it. What's done is done.

Etienne came out with the man's pouch, counting out coins.

"Anything interesting about those?" you asked.

"Nothing," he replied, "Except the Emperor." He held up a coin stamped with the face of the Emperor of Constantinople.

Did that mean anything? Maybe it meant everything. Or a piece of misdirection.

You shook your head. "I've annoyed a great many people," you said, "We may never know who sent this man."

Etienne frowned as if he disagreed, but gave a slight nod anyway. "For now at least," he said, putting the coin purse on your side table. "What more can we do this night?"

> retire for the night
> return to the party
> go question the assassin

>>39173826
>He held up a coin stamped with the face of the Emperor of Constantinople.

yep that's our friend

have Hugo fetch some servants quick & pay them a few coins for their time & silence to have the mess cleaned up otherwise

> return to the party

>>39173826
>> return to the party

Lets talk a bit with the greek

>>39173826
>> return to the party

The Emperor probably dont know we are allied with the Greek. HE most likely was looking through our stuff for information to bring him. So we might be safe for now.

>>39173927
Its only the coin of Constantinople, its presence implies our ''friend'' was from contacted by Byzantines wither they are friends of the emperor or not is another story.

>>39173946
Well she is a Doukas and so his her uncle. So it might aswell be the Emperor

>>39173826
>> return to the party

Just in time to catch a bit of the thread before work!

>>39173956
>Well she is a Doukas
she says she is but she could be some minor noble worth bugger for all we know

>So it might as well be the Emperor
Agreed we will need to have a sit down with her once we get to Ramla.

You take a breath, and then give quick instructions to Hugo. He was to find a pair of servants to dispose of the corpse, and to do so quietly, and pay the servants generously for their silence. In the mean time your presence would be required at the feast.

With Etienne and Sabeen you return, hand on the hilt of your sword. You wondered if any would notice you wore it.

They would of course. The question was, what would they make of it?

That was hardly something you could control, so you tried to force it from your mind as you walked back into the feasting hall with your companions. Lord Gerard was still embroiled in Chihirizahd's charms, and had scarce noted your leaving.

The young man you had been speaking to (an off shoot of the Grenier name) was happy to have you returned.

"All empty?" he asked, "Then you can go another round." And he offered you another cup of wine.

You sat, and drank a small toast to Lord Gerard for hosting this celebration. You did this while your eyes searched for the so called Stylianos. 'He' was seated with another flock of nobles and knights. No one hugely important. The English bodyguard stood behind 'his' chair, looking over everything with a vague hostility.

If the trouble in your chamber came from a Roman direction, no doubt it started with her. You considered her over the rim of your cup. Underneath her masculine disguise she had features that made for a fair maid. You were curious to see her without that forced disguise. No doubt something to be discussed in time.

Was she aware the danger she had put you in?

Something else to inform her of.

You set down your half empty wine cup. The night was drawing to a close. The guests were beginning to peter out. You stumbled out of your chair with a forced smile, acting drunker than you were.

Mostly to allow Chihirizahd an excuse to untangle herself from Lord Gerard's paws.

>>39174104
"I must assist my lord, he's as like to fall into the privy as find his bed," she said, batting away a pinching hand playfully, though she allowed it a slight pluck for the lord's amusement.

She took you in hand, took you by the shoulder, and laughed with wine on her breath. It was a good act that she had been forced to master over her years of captivity.

As you left Sabeen stumbled up behind you. Now she really was drunk, and it took a hand from Etienne to keep her from toppling over.

"I am fine," she said in that very careful, stilted manner of the very drunk.

When you managed to round the corner back to your quarters Sabeen was handed off to Maggie, who took her by hand and led her like a stumbling child to the women's quarters.

"I am fine, it was just a drink or two!" she insisted, "I'm not drunk. I'm not!"

"Yer drunk as a boar that's been in the over-ripe apples," Maggie chided.

"Did you just call me a pig!?" Sabeen was thick with indignation that Maggie simply scoffed at, hustling the woman into their shared chambers.

You slid into your chambers to find it well cleaned. As if nothing had happened. Hugo had done a good job. It was half a miracle. Chihirizahd released you, smoothing out her plucked at, groped dress and gave a sigh.

"Well, I hope your night was more pleasant than mine," she said.

"Hardly," you replied, pulling off your tabard, then your doublet, "Another attempt on my life."

"Another? Why, you would think it would be out of fashion by now," she said, plucking a stray hair from your shoulder.

"I had hoped so, but this trend just won't die. Not until I do at least," you sat on the bed, rubbing at your shoulders. Chihirizahd sat behind you, pulled herself up close so her bosom pressed against your back, and took your shoulders in hand and began to massage them.

>>39174111
"Well, when you throw in with just any cause that comes along it is bound to happen," she chided, softly kissing the back of your neck, "The doom of a good man."

You sigh. It was nice to think of yourself as such. A good man suffering the slings and arrows of life. Truth was you weren't so sure. More the consequence of ambition. But you were happy to suffer it so long as it paid out in the end.

"Shall we sleep?" Chihirizahd asked, her brow raised as if to invite another activity, leaning back and looking over her raised chest. You were damned tired, but damned if it wasn't a tempting sight.

> just sleep
> well, you could muster the effort for her...

>>39174111
>"I am fine, it was just a drink or two!" she insisted, "I'm not drunk. I'm not!"

ahhhh a classic first timer

> just sleep

I know it goes against tradition but I think we need to gather our wits for our remaining time here

>>39174129
> well, you could muster the effort for her...

Bastard making time

>>39174129
>> just sleep

>>39174141
Remember the last time Wil didnt sleep with Chiri ?

Its our good luck charm

>>39174129
>> well, you could muster the effort for her...
Gotta raise that CHA

>>39174129
> well, you could muster the effort for her...

>>39174129
>> well, you could muster the effort for her...

>>39174154
I don't think it works like that.

>>39174170
Do not question the CHA

>>39174129
>> well, you could muster the effort for her...

>>39173956
The current ruling dynasty of the Eastern Roman Empire are the Komnenoi. The name is still important, but its no longer purely attached to the Imperial line. The naming conventions of the Eastern Romans also means you had a lot of people using the name who were relatively unimportant.

>>39174190
You did mention one of them was married to a high rank Komnenoi if i remember correctly.

>>39174197
the current emperor was looking to match with lovetta & in meta the Doukas & Komnenoi branches are headed for convergence

>>39174197
The Komnenoi technically were Doukas by way of marriage (it was Alexios' claim to the throne) but so were a lot of people.

It's all pretty byzantine.

I've been waiting to use that one

>>39174221
Everyone who talks about the Byzantine looks for a reason to use that.

Since Wilhelm now is a noble, does that mean we get a lastname. Will we use Koblenz after where we came from or Ramla after what we are lord of ?

>>39174221
>It's all pretty byzantine.

Hue

"We shall not," you replied, and took her by the shoulders, pressing her to the bed. She squirmed beneath you, she wiggled. Wiggled out of the dress she wore, as her hands closed on your breeches which she pulled off with a hurried need.

When she freed you she gripped you with both hands, her breath quickening as she brought you full to bear.

"Take me," she urged, pressing herself against you, kissing your neck, your jaw, your lips. You answered that mouth with your own and found an eager tongue. When you pushed into her she moaned into your kiss.

And as you both began to move, she ran her hands through your hair, took your gaze in yours.

"Don't let them kill you," she said, "Don't. Don't. Don't." Her hands cradled the back of your neck, pulled you closer to her.

She no longer looked pleasured, though moans rolled out of her like waves against the shore. Her eyes were slits of fear.

"Please. Please."

And when she kissed you it was desperate, her lips wet and tongue forceful.

You cupped her cheek, sweat building across your back. You told her through touch, through soft fingers tracing along her cheeks, her lips, her chin. And you told her with a kiss. It had her near to desperate tears as she answered it.

You rolled onto your back and she straddled you, kissed your chest as your hands felt her thighs, her hips, reached back and cupped that rear of hers as she sat up and rode you through to climax.

"God," she said, the word a singular tremble from her lips as you bucked under her with a hard firm climax.

She collapsed upon your chest.

It was like that where you slept and awoke, her naked and laying upon your broad chest, the sun breaking through the arrow slits in your room, lighting her tan skin a tone of bronze in its soft light. You traced your fingers over that soft skin, traced it just light enough to rouse her. She looked at you through half-sleep, eyes heavy and lips pouting.

For once in her life Chiri is happy. Shit most suck if Wilhelm ever died.

>>39174499

When she slipped off you she went with your softly groaned protest. And as she dressed their came a hurried knock on your door.

"Awake, awake!" it was Mohmed, you think, speaking in imperfect Greek. You hadn't spoken to him much in the past. "You've a intruder, a intruder!"

You felt a bolt of sudden panic, and grabbed your sheathed sword. You barely had your hose on before you burst from the room. You nearly barreled over poor Mohmed.

A girl sat with dark brow raised looking toward you. The sight of her made your stomach drop.

"A intruder," Mohmed said, gesturing to the girl.

A girl with pitch black hair and skin that had once been pale. Travel had browned it, but you could still see her familiar freckles. She wore her hair in a pair of braids that hung over her shoulders with red ribbon tied through it. She wore a simple but elegant dress of blue and white. In every aspect she seemed the well behaved, proper young noblewoman. A very cunning illusion for the hellcat you knew her to be.

She leaned on an elbow and smiled.

"Good morning," your sister Mathilde said.

What fresh hell was this?

-
End of Part 6 of Deus Vult
Hugo +1 int

QnA

>>39174560
>"Good morning," your sister Mathilde said.

OH FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU-

I love this fucking quest

>>39174560
Typos: the post.

And I say this as a guy that has many typos in his posts.

>>39174560
Holy shit our family is in Sidon?!

>>39174560
>>39174560
HAHA TIME FOR SARCASM: THE FATHER!

Thanks a lot of the thread HF. Have really looked forward to it and i am happy that you made it even when it was off hour and there werent as many people in the thread by the end of it.
>>39174586
>Father sees our castle: So this is your keep ? I thought it would be bigger... But it will have to do... I guess...

>>39174560
thank you for running

>Did we fuck up y/n?

Is Joyce still mad/believe the rumors that we fucked his sister ?

About our last name. >>39174252

Next thread when?

>>39174604
You could have taken the thief alive and gotten more info out of him, but only at risk of yours or Hugo's life. So whether or not that's a screw up would be in the hands of the dice.

>>39174629
He knows for a point blank fact that Hugo fucked his sister.

He is still a little mad about it, but he likes Hugo personally now and just wants him to do the right thing.

I have no idea

>>39174637
And we all know how the dice is in this quest.

Sorry the sessions have been so short and spaced out. Trying to make do with the time I have free.

>>39174657
NEW SHIT OR OLD SHIT INTERFERING?

>>39174657
And great. He wouldnt mind having him as a brother in law then

>>39174678
Dont worry mate, i am sure most of us understand.

>>39174691
A lot of different stuff, old and new.

Life likes to shit on me some times.

But I might 'might' have a day I can set aside for questing soon.

>>39174678
what would have happened if Hugo had beaten Joyce? or if we'd eaten alone?

>>39174657
Did his sister admit it or something ? Now i am curious about how he found out.

>>39174724
I know that feel, I just pray that day is a sunday.

>>39174731
> what would have happened if Hugo had beaten Joyce?
Roll three 90s on an average again and find out.
>or if we'd eaten alone?
That stuff still has to play out.

>>39174752
Hahaha, sorry. Midweek.

>>39174764
I meant NOT sunday all the better for me if it happens aapparently

Rolled 77, 63, 11 = 151 (3d100)

>>39174764
rollan

>>39174736
Essentially he had his suspicions and when confronted about it she confessed. She's a kid, he's her big brother and guardian. She couldn't hold up to his questioning.

Rolled 20, 55, 22 = 97 (3d100)

Now i am wondering if Hugo's mother also snuck down to the holy lands
>>39174764

I should clarify since a lot of people seem to be jumping to conclusions. It's just Mathilde, not the whole family.

Why she's alone will be revealed next thread.

>>39174807
Wont blame her for it.

>>39174822
Goddamn now i am on the edge of my seat

>>39174822
Suffering?

>>39174822
So Whats her personality like?

>>39174854
>she seemed the well behaved, proper young noblewoman. A very cunning illusion for the hellcat you knew her to be.

And i remember from Hugo's PoV she used to be quite cruel to him

>>39174657

I'm uh. Actually not adverse to hugo wedding his sister.

>>39174678
Just glad that you're still running.

>>39174918
Get the fuck out of here von Habsburg

Choose the worst day to sleep early, damn.

>>39174937
I think he meant Joyce's sister

>>39174937
>>39174954

Yes, yes i did. As in Hugo marrying Joyce's sister.

>>39174822
How quickly will the Byzantine plotline roll out?

>>39174560
Now i am curious how the hell she got in here. Did she just walk up to the guards and say "I am the sister of Lord Wilhelm. Let me in!" ?

>>39175109
through the power of Koblenz rusing?

>>39175109
Imagine the power of Wilhelm's cock. Now imagine the power of the Koblenz Pussy

>>39175120
Fucking Koblenz, how do they do it ?

>>39175149
through the power of stands[/spoilers]

WRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY[/spoilers]

So, are there a betting pool on if Wilhelm Senior has fathered another bastard with Hugo's mom ?

>>39175208
Nope he considered Hugo a mistake so there aunt much chance, but I guess you can never tell with Koblenz......

>>39175225
A Koblenz is always think with both heads. Its the eternal struggle

>>39174937
I mean, it's not like they're FULL siblings.

>>39174807
Late but thanks for running!

>>39175141
Let's do things Lannister style