The area immediately around the moat surrounding the chapter house is laid to neatly kept lawns which bear the marks of being scythed regularly. A path of compacted gravel leads sinously to the rising causeway which allows entrance to the Chapter House via the solid Gatehouse. There are no concealed approaches to the Chapter House and at least two men-at-arms are present at all times.

A battered and bruised Sir Niall walks up to the gatehouse and stops briefly to speak to the two men-at-arms on guard. Exchanging words one of them laughs then claps him heartily across the back. Sir Niall winces then replies before trudging into the Chapter House.

Sir Niall approaches the chapter house as the clouds rolling in overhead obscure most of the moon's light and bring rain onto Prodigio. He lifts up the hood of his cloak to provided protection from the lashing rain. Walking up the causeway, lit by flickering oil lamps, he spots the men-at-arms sheltering from the worst of the storm. He calls out a greeting to them then enters the gatehouse.

Wrapped in his cloak to ward of the elements Sir Niall leaves the chapter house, speaking to the guards as he does. He then heads into the centre of Prodigio.

The Prodigio Chapter House bears witness to a raised level of activity. Men at Arms are visible in twice the usual numbers at the Gatehouse and are also, more unusually, stationed on the causeway. Shipments are delivered throughout the day by plain garbed groups of stern looking men and women. Each is subject to a detailed search before being allowed to pass within.

Sir Niall walks up the causeway to the gatehouse. As he approaches the guards he removes the hood of his cloak and greets them. He stops briefly to speak before entering the Chapter House.

Sir Niall leaves the Chapter House bedecked in his armour with the Squire at his side. Following closely behind are a small band of men-at-arms. Sir Niall speaks to the guards as he leaves bidding farewell to them.

Sir Caelwin walks slowly to the gatehouse, he is sluggish and tired and grudgingly salutes the guard at the gate. He is not alone, a warrior maiden in blue armour and spear is at his side.

"greetings Anton, please ask my squire to attend my quarters, my weapons are blunt, my armour torn and I need food, a bed but first a bath. This is Miko she will be staying with us for a while, have quarters and a squire assigned to her. Bring her anything she requires."

"Yes my lord and welcome back, it is good to see that you return alive. News of battles in your region have reached us." Anton returns the salute and motions for another guard to do the bidding of his lord.

Caelwin enters into the courtyard and into the keep with slow and heavy feet. He is muttering under his breath. "ratkin whores, mistress of pain, no knight should ever see such things, the spear, oh the spear."

Val' walks wearily towards the gatehouse and calls out a welcome greeting to the guards.

"Greetings and well met good sirs, my name is Sir Vallée de Dieux of the Knights Hospitallers. I come here upon the advice from Sir Caelwin, Knight of the Code, I seek training within the chapter house of the Knights of the Code and shelter for the night if you would be so kind please."

Looking down towards his rather tattered and rustily worn armour, motioning a gester of an empty purse, he holds tightly to his pouch of bandages and takes one knee with a shamefully bowing head.

"Alas I am sad to say that I cannot offer any pittance from my empty coffers, but I can offer you my services within your hospital for those knights returning from the front lines."

The guards at the gatehouse look at the stranger. Upon hearing his request one steps forwards and greets him.

"Then you'd best go into the great hall. Speak to the Master of the Gate, he'll sort you out and make your introductions."

He indicates the main doors then steps back to allow the Knight through.

Val slowly rises and looks towards the guards.

"Thank you good sir, you are most kind"

Walking by the guard, Val gives a slight nod of appreciation and makes his way to the great hall for further introductions. Pulling his tabard straight and adjusting his cloak, he brushes off the road dust and begins to relax after a the recent tiresome events.

A squire runs up to the weary warrior and gestures for him to begin removing his armour and weapons.
"If it pleases my lord I am Joseph, I have been instructed by Sir Caelwin to attend to your needs. I have prepared a room for you and a bath. Food and drink has been made available and new clothing laid out. I will mend your clothes and repair your armour and weapons. Sir Caelwin has instructed you to take some time to relax before meeting him in the main hall." The squire leads Sir Val into the keep and to the prepared room.

Sir Val' bows slowly before the squire and smiles.

"Well met Joseph, that is most gracious of Sir Caelwin, your hospitallity will not go unmentioned. Shall we ?"

Sir Val' gestures for the squire to lead on. Looking around in awe at the wonders of the Chapter House, a feeling of elation finally overcomes his dreary face. Able to take his feet off the long road whence he has travelled, perhaps he can spare a few moments of offered luxury before applying his skills in the halls of the sick.

An orc arrives as the Gates of the chapter house he is sweating under the weight of satchels filled with books and scrolls.

"I'm Ogrukh, Umbriel sent me with Scrolls from the library."

A guard steps forward and speaks to the messenger,

"Well met Ogrukh, I can take those from you. Are they for anyone in particular?"

The orc shrugs, and wipes a crumb from his lips.
"Dunno, just got asked to bringem, 'sa catalogue of what's in there i fink."

The guards accepts the proffered satchels,

"Thank you, I will take them to the Knights. I assume they will know what to do."

He bows wonkily, and leaves for the Order.

The gates to the chapter house swing open and a troop of armoured warriors march outwards towards the town. There are four knights in full livery and with each comes a squire, a squad of 8 men at arms, chain mailed and bearing pikes and morning stars. An officer counts out the march and they proceed brisquely towards the town, Sir Caelwin at the head.

Increased activity is evident at the Chapter House. Regular passers-by would notice that the number of guards visible at the Gatehouse has doubled. Those guards present appear to be more heavily armed and armoured than is usual

*Book is running/walking to keep up.. His bag and crossbow rattling as he does so*

A troop of men at arms, squires and knights with Largos in the middles near the gates and they are raised to allow entry. The group is admitted with a smart salute by the Sergeant at arms.
"welcome to the knights of the code, Prodigio Chapter house" Caelwin informs those not of permenent residence. "I shall have the cooks informed of the additional numbers and rooms made available, I hope some of you don't mind bunking two to a room but space is limited. Careful of Cat, she prowls at night and has a tendency to pounce on anything that moves after dark, mouse or man. If you will follow me we shall retire to the reception hall. The practice room is available to all those wishing martial practice and the library for use by those wanting peace, Sir Sethanin if you could be so kind as to shadow Largos for the first few hours." Caelwin informs the throng of stragglers.

On hearing the commotion near the gatehouse Val puts down his hammer and the plate pieces he is working on and makes his way with his sword to see what is about.

On spotting Sir Caelwin with the knights and several other of familiar faces amongst them, he greets all with a hearty welcome.

"Welcome back Sir Caelwin and to all." Scanning around briefly, Val spots a rather familiar, and if not rather perplexed face. "Well met Largos, it is good to see you present and still safe from your trials. I trust your days have been kept close by and still in one piece ?"

Looking back to the knights, "Can I be of service here, or shall I clean up and meet you shortly in the Reception Hall to catch up on events ?"

*Book waits for all the fuss to end before going in...* Iknow there is a need for all this.. but out in the open is perhaps not a good time to be..

"Hello Sir Val, if you are done maybe we could all talk in the reception hall, there are a few things I'd like to say regarding this business with Largos. I'm sure this would be good for Book and Trellaine to hear as they may have input as well and of course any help from the warriors of light would be greatly accepted. " Caelwin tuurns and heads for the reception hall.

<Tellos follows after Caelwin>

*Book follows in*..

[Trelaine follows at the rear observing all around for signs of anything else that might be watching the groups entrance.]

A group of Knights and Men-at-Arms headed by Lord Bowen returns to the Chapter House marching smartly up the causeway to the gatehouse. The duty guards step aside and salute as the heavily armed and armoured troop enter.

The men-at-arms guarding the approach to the Gatehouse look out across the moat and down the causeway as they spot a solitary figure approaching with purpose. Readying themselves for trouble they shortly recognise the man to be Sir Niall. He looks some how changed by his time away. Saluting him they move back as he enters the gatehouse and politely greets them. They return to their positions and strat speaking in hushed tones.

Sir Val approaches the gatehouse looking a little worse for wear, but with a smile and his head held high.

Addressing the guards as he approaches, he speaks up well and introduces himself hopefully to allow entry despite his burnt and bushy face and drastically different armour with rags for clothing.

"Well met good sirs, I am Sir Vallée de Dieux. I trust I haven't changed too much beyond recognition. Has Sir Niall or Sir Caelwin passed this way recently? I would like to clean up a little if I could please."

He waits patiently hoping that they remember him and accepts his return.

The senior man-at-arms salutes the Knight,

"Greeting Sir Val, Sir Niall has returned to the chapter house then I believe he left for the Inn you all meet at. He left instructions for you to enter, take up your prior quarters, and make use of the house's facilities."

He steps aside to allow the Knight entry.

"My thanks to you good sir. I am most thankful to Sir Niall, and shall indeed clean up and head straight back out to meet with him at the Inn."

He bows kindly towards the guard and walks through the gate towards the reception.

Making his visit a rather brief stay - enough to clean up and put on simple robed atire attaching his mace to his roped belt - he quickly returns to the gatehouse and bids the guards a good day as he heads off towards the Inn.

<Tellos approaches the gatehouse along the causeway, his weapons sheathed apart from a bastard sword he is resting across his shoulder>

Good Day to you, Sir Niall said I would be able to speak with Squire if he was around.

The senior man-at-arms salutes,

"I've seen you here before, you're Tellos aren't you. Please go in and speak to the Master of the Gate. He's in the reception hall, just mind you don't upset him he's a bit tetchy today."

He steps back to allow the warrior passage.

Yes, I am. Thank you, and thanks for the warning!

<Enters through the gate>

Sir Niall and the men-at-arms march down the causeway in unison. The guards on duty stand smartly to attention and salute as they pass. The party heads out of the city towards the transport circle on route to Golaskanev.

Meiko strides up to the gatehouse and inclines her head at the guards posted there.

" I am Meiko Konjo, I am staying at the chapter house after accepting the invitation from Sir Caelwin. May I pass? "

The guards turn to the lady as she approaches the gate, they salute and face her.
"you are known to us and are an honoured guest, of course you can enter. I beleive that Sir Caelwin is in town and Sir Niall has left for Golashkev. Dinner will be served at the sixth bell but I would suggest haste as he eats lots and fast."

Meiko inclines her head in thanks before walking past the guard and into the chapter house.