A troop of heavily armoured knights makes it's way to the gatehouse of the Gaurd Keep.
"I seek an audience with General Galeb," the first knight announces to the gate guard. "I am Sir Bowen, deputy preceptor to the knights of the code and these are my fellow knights. We are escorting one who seeks sanctuary."

*Book stands tehre with a shield on his right arm.. weapon in his left*..

<Tellos stands behind the knights watching the rear>

A Guard stands up wearing the colours of Company A.

"Can you please explain your purpose here and why it requires so many heavily armed men?"

Val shifts about spotting how uneasy the guard looks and how daunting this display of arms must be.

"we are escorting a man who is in grave danger and assassins have already been dispatched for him. We ask for the protection of the guard and General Galebs attention. This matter is of political nature and requires the ears of the General himself if you would be so kind as to allow us an audience. My knight, Sir Caelwin along with the mage Book, warrior of light Tellos and Sir Val will enter with thier charge and the rest of us will return to the chapter house. This should eleviate the amount of armour on the streets. I apologise for this heavy handed approach but the need was dire."

By this time a large number of heavily armed men have arrived, all wearing the colours of company A. None have weapons drawn but all are looking ready for trouble.

"Your story is indeed curious and may indeed be of interest to the General if it is indeed true, I am sure however that you can understand we have to be sure your intentions for it would not be good if someone with....hostile intent were to be able to get to the General.

Tell me, who is this person who requires so much protection?"

*Book steps forward*.. That would be the Matter the General would be best to erm.. decide over. No offence.

The less people who know the better for those concerned.

The guard looks at Book and the ill at ease pose he has behind that shield

"And who might you be?"

He takes a deep breath

"OK While I appreciate that you believe this to be of the highest importance and for the ears of the General Only, you have yet to give me a single reason why I should permit a bunch of heavily armed and armoured strangers in to see a very important man that the undead and their allies not to mention the T'cra would just love to see dead. I am here becuase the General trusts me and my judgement and his safety is my responsability, hence the additional heavily armed men you may have noticed arrive. I am not an unreasonable man but if I don't hear something that convinces me you are not here to waste the Generals time or that you are not a group assassins then I am going to have to ask you to leave"

"My name is Sir Caelwin of Cutha," Caelwin steps forward.

"We have a man that Lord Malnear wanted dead, unreasonably he has been framed for a murder he did not commit and bounty hunters sent on his trail. For his protection we placed him into custody of the knights. We have escorted him here in the hope that General Galeb could offer him sanctuary. We also come to impart information that may be useful to the general that will waylay the undead and some of their allies that have gained a foothold in the protected zone. I know the general knows some of what I speak as the mage Soot is in contact with him. I tell you this in confidence and hope that it remains so for a death warrant would be on all of us for aiding this man we protect."

The man listens carefully to the Knight before him

"You are speaking of the Largos issue arent you, but the man is dead, the bounty claimed on him already so how could you have him here?"

*Book sighs puts the shield down and stretches himself out* That thing is heavy....

Okay.. you have an idea now.. if we left our weapons outside or something.. Would you dismiss some of the men here so we could have a private chat? While Sir Caelwin here is a good and honest man, like all knights and men of honour they do not.. *Book takes a breath* understand secrecy.

As my good friend Sir Caelwin has said, I am the Mage Book. Yes you probably have heard of my misfortunes for my friends are quick to remind me. However my stead is that I am a defender of the wall, I stood the day with my brother in Arms Didier Elan Alone while the City prepared it's defences. While some say I have honour I am not a man of honour. I follow my own code, but I am a man of preservation of information.

You have my word I will not harm a living man here.

"You are right somebody did claim the bounty on Largos and yes I should be doing this in secret but I have found that being as honest as possible sometimes prevents ambiguity. Largos is in fact among us, his death was a ruse to prevent further attacks on him from those who want him dead. Largos needs a place of refuge and we need to divulge to the General those that are behind the attacks and the undead attacvs within the undead zone. As I said this would easier done if we were within the security of these walls. I shall peace knot my blade and the other knights of the code will return to the chapter house so that we may talk more freely."

The guard listens carefully,

"The guards here are all hand picked by the General himself and shall not breath a word of what you have said to anyone, of that you can be sure"

He issues a command to the guardsmen who came at his summons and they take up positions as if to defend the assembly instead of attack it.

"If those wishing to see the General would either peacebind their weapons as the good Knight here or leave them in the corner I shall escort you inside. I am sure that I dont need to warn you but any drawn weapon within the Generals chambers will meet with nasty repercussions"

Sir Caelwin, as I cannot peace knot my sword and am unwilling to leave it with anybody, I will return to the tavern and see what has been occuring in our absence. I am sure that yourself and the others are more than capable of sorting this matter.

<with that he turns and strides off in the direction of the tavern>

Stepping forward alongside Sir Caelwin, Sir Val speaks forth.

"Please forgive my inexperience in these matters, but please can someone explain the peace knotting so that I may either join you inside, or wait patiently at the Inn?"

*Book happily places all of his weapons on the floor neatly*.. I'm afraid I carry my knowledge of spells.. however I will not cast unless in self defence. I however will not leave my comrades here to go in alone. It's not that I don't trust the General. It's the simple fact I believe they will be out maouvered due their nature as hounourbound folk... *Book smiles*.. no offence meant.

Largos does nothing to give away his presence, and waits to see how the situation plays out.

The guard stands aghast at the words of Book before turning to Sir Caelwin

"Sir the slight this man does to your honour(gesturing to Book) is great so I shall leave you to deal with that as you see fit although I doubt the General will bother himself too greatly if you were to choose to strike him down like the whelp he is"

*book smiles*.. Guardsman.. although I find your manners rather distasteful, your jest is taken as such. While I find that you could be useful to the general you may need to take some time out and sleep if your jesting goes further.


*Book shakes his head* If I were to slight the men of honour here I would have been blatant. I mean they are bound up by a code where as I am not. I just keep my word. I will not have my friends be used because their codes of honour dictate that. If that is slight against their honour, so be it.

The guard you have been talking looks incredulous at the words from Book

"Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Captain Kernus Vale of Company A."

He pulls off his tabbard with the Company A colours on it, Folds it carefully and hands it to another of the guards.

"Now allow me to introduce myself again. I am Brehon Kernus Vale, formerly a captain in Company A and now Brehon assigned to General Galeb. My duties were not supposed to begin for a few days yet but I am sure the General will not object to me assuming my duties a few days early."

He moved to stand directly in front of Book and gestures to two guards who seize Book by the arms.

"Your initial statement was an insult towards the General of the highest order, suggesting he is not honorable, how dare you stand there and say that, the guards would have cut you down on the spot for that insult had they been permitted. However your insult was also to the knights you stand with so I gave you the chance to settle it between yourselves and take the easy way out. But no, you could not let it lie being the big man you are you had to extend the insult to me as well."

Kernus retains a calm expression but the fury in his eyes is eveident

"For too long people like you have thought they were better than the laws and acted as they saw fit, well no longer, things have changed and its time you learned that. You are sentanced to 3 days in the stocks for being disrespectful to your superiors and lipping the guard, use the time to think about what you have said and done and let me make myself completly clear, when my men return in three days to release you, then you damn well better still be there, you have already stated your a magic user and I am sure you have some trick up your sleve for escaping but if you are not there in 3 days or you are spotted anywhere but in those stocks within the next 3 days your sentance will be upgraded"

"Guards take him away!"

Two guards firmly escort Book from the area a third following with a bunch of keys.

Kernus looks back to the rest of the group his composure returned

"Right, well thats that delt with, I suppose technically I am no longer the right person to permit you to see the General but it will take a little time to get my replacement here. As soon as everyone has placed their weapons down or peace bound them I shall show you in"

He turns to Val,

"Sir, peace binding is using string or wire to bind your weapon in to its scabbard so it may not be drawn quickly or easily"

Sir Val shuffles uneasily at the turn of events from helping hand to trading of insults and power. Though in mind Book has his own manner, it seems not to be noticed as a personal trait by the authorities that be, unsurprisingly in this time of seemingly endless troubles.

Stepping aside out of the way of the guards, and with half a mind to stand at guard just in case, Val eases his stance and looks towards Sir Caelwin and the other knights for some sort of answer as Book is dragged away. Sir Val shifts his head downwards and very subtly shakes his head in confused denial of the change of events, almost as if he has come to expect nothing less from his new group of friends and adventurers.

Val shifts his head up swiftly noting that he is being addressed to, and stands facing the man, now known as Brehon Kernus Vale, formerly Captain of Company A. Wondering if Brehon is a title, rank or name, Val doesn't question and accepts his courteous answer.

"Thank you Brehon Kernus Vale, I shall follower Sir Caelwin's lead and peace knot my own sword as a gesture of good faith. Let us hope that our meeting will be positive and productive."

Sir Val finds a piece of cord and ties his weapon to his scabbard and prepares his tabbard, brushing off the dust.

Caelwin looks to the departing Book, and then turns back to Kernus.
"I apologise for Book, his tongue is often quick and not always diplomatic although much of what he says is true but it's usually the way in which he presents himself. I do believe however that 3 days in the stocks will not change is outlook in life.
As for myself and my charge it is of improtance to me that Largos be delivered to the General and that recent turns of events involving the Lizardkin lands be presented. As long as Largos is aggreeable we shall will be honoured for your escort."

Not quite agreeing with the treating of Book, but staying quite and in formation nether the less.

Upon hearing a resolution to the matter at hand he steps forward "I am in agreement."

He continues forward and gives his weapon over the the protection of the guard.

Sir Val nods towards the direction of Largos, showing appreciation for keeping himself calmly under control despite facing an unknown future.

He takes a step back and to the side allowing Largos enough room to get by, and follows in line with the small group.

Once everyone has either surrendered their weapons or has had them peacebound to his satisfaction Kernus shows everyone through the door behind him and in to a small chamber.

The door is closed behind them and barred

The guards assembled outside remain in position lined up to prevent anyone else from entering.

(OOC anyone who has gone inside with Kernus please continue posting in the "Generals Office" thread)

Sir Val exits from the Generals Office and begins to pass out through the gates, nodding to the guards a bow of thanks.

"Sir Caelwin, unless I am needed for a little while, I would like to visit the town and see if I can meet up with some of our fellow adventures to catch up on their latest news. I shall keep matters descrete with what has occurred and be sure to find out as much as I can with news of any further mishaps."

Val heads off towards the main part of town for a stroll, hoping to find a place to dust off his boots and read the latest news.