Checkmate

[Gothic Rose]

Word spreads of the death of Lyonette "Rook" Le'Cyr, the commander of the Scarlet Lions. The general word is that she openly admitted to being a Banite, and was challenged to a duel by a champion of Torm the True, who subsequently killed Rook.

Is this the end for the once again dead Le'Cyr? Only time will tell.

[Dark presence]

One account of the event, retold several times in a few taverns:


"...And the minute she said it, the minute she called herself a Banite, those two Tormish drew their blades. She wasn't bearing a weapon, didn't even have armor on. Now, I never knew the woman well. I don't know her deeds, or what she may have done in secret. She was an insufferable bitch. She really could have used a good man. But whatever she did, the government didn't try to arrest her for any crime. They accused her of being a Banite too, but they didn't do anything.

"These Tormish though, they drew their swords and had this look in their eye like she had to die and they were going to be the ones to do it. I'm real glad I wasn't in between them at the time. Who knows what would have happened? They didn't try to help her see the error of her ways, the one just challenged her to a duel and then several minutes later, she was gone. She wanted to die, and they were all too happy to oblige her.

"So yeah, that lady might have been a Banite, but I learned more about fear and tyranny in that first minute from those Tormish than I ever gleaned from that Banite."

[undeadsteak]

Salisse, hearing the news, in her already disturbed mood, falls into tears. She heads into her room, and sighs, after a few hours. I'll miss you, meatshield. And those Tormites SHALL pay. she mummurs, then falls off to sleep.

[GodBeastX]

One account of the event, retold several times in a few taverns:


"...And the minute she said it, the minute she called herself a Banite, those two Tormish drew their blades. She wasn't bearing a weapon, didn't even have armor on. Now, I never knew the woman well. I don't know her deeds, or what she may have done in secret. She was an insufferable bitch. She really could have used a good man. But whatever she did, the government didn't try to arrest her for any crime. They accused her of being a Banite too, but they didn't do anything.

"These Tormish though, they drew their swords and had this look in their eye like she had to die and they were going to be the ones to do it. I'm real glad I wasn't in between them at the time. Who knows what would have happened? They didn't try to help her see the error of her ways, the one just challenged her to a duel and then several minutes later, she was gone. She wanted to die, and they were all too happy to oblige her.

"So yeah, that lady might have been a Banite, but I learned more about fear and tyranny in that first minute from those Tormish than I ever gleaned from that Banite."

People dismiss the stories in the tavern as a drunken bampot.

"Ye sayin' she'd 'ave had swords drawn on 'er if she wasn' servin' that bleedin' dark lord? Ye daft lass, real daft. Go preach ye sob stories te someone 'oo cares. Torm be a true 'ero and tha's for true!"

[Blue_Wyrm]

Hearing the rumors while smoking his pipe in a corner of a shady Avanthyr drunk pit, Roger starts chuckling, his mouth shut to not lose his pipe. He then chokes, coughs a bit, and mumbles to himself: "An' t'say I almos' got ta bing bang wif' 'dat looney lass".

[Infernal_Havok]

Word Spreads as the Bloodhawk scouts report rumors to the Hin Commander:

"Another Fallen Lion? Outrageous, something must be done to shut them down. Such corruption and betrayal, that one claimed to be of the Red Knight! Blasphemous! I should have known such an inept commander could never serve the tennants of the Red Knight."

The diminutive commander sends a message to her active field commanders.

"Be wary my comrades, another traitor had been discovered amongest the ranks of the Scarlet Lions. Be vigilant, all remaining Lions and their leaders will be suspect amongst us. Do not easily trust their words until their deeds prove otherwise."

[Xanderleo]

While ranging southward through the Viridale to track down stragglers from yesterday's offensive against the border, Sigrun hears two travellers relating what they heard of Lyonette's death.

In an instant, anger swells in him...he wants to correct the inconsistencies, explain the details; but instead he kneels on the soft grass, fingering a ring that hangs from a thin leather cord about his neck.

After a moment the ranger stands, his face flushed but more calm. He looks down at Nyx who stands looking back up at him, tail still, head cocked as if wondering what his master is thinking.

"I hope her suffering is at and end, Nyx."

The wolf responds with a low whining growl, as if not understanding the pattern of the words his master spoke, his tail moves slowly...body tensed as if awaiting clarification.

With a dismissive wave and a sigh Sigrun says: "Come on, the Orcs aint going to hunt themselves, boy"

He then walks off down the road, passing the gossiping travellers with a nod.

[GodBeastX]

Upon her return from Waterdeep Kollotta De'Anara, a noble of Sundren and Leader of the Lions, hears the news from a letter left on her desk. She sighs and shakes her head.

While travelling through Sundren later that day toward the Triumverate Temple for prayer, she is met by another woman.

"Lady De'Anara, I heard the news of your commander. There's talk that Bane's influence has made it's way through all of your house guard."

Soon others come closer, speaking up as well.

"We know you to be true to Torm, Lady De'Anara, but what of those under you? Can any of them be trusted?"

Kollotta turns and looks upon them all as they gaze at her in wonder. Some murmuring. She stands strong, however, and speaks to those watching.

"They have had to face many wicked forces in their lives. Some of which would cause even the most stalwart's heart to crumble. It's easy to point fingers and say 'Look here how this one has fallen' when we ourselves sit on the sides and let others battle for us.

Recall history itself and the corruption that even Torm's sacred house had endured not but decades ago. That even he had to come down himself and cleanse his temples of their corruption. Writing for us a new guideline to follow and offering us a shining example."

As she begins to address those around her, more come still to hear her words.

"Who among us can be so haughty and self assuming as to say there is no force in the land that could break our will? That no trial nor tribulation that can cause us to doubt? Be careful those who believe they are standing that they do not fall. Be wary those who enter the temple with their brother and label him false before his crime has been done. Will you also hate the house of Torm when one of his faithful paladins falls to the grips of darkness?

Do not forget that some of those who have fallen have also tried to redeem themselves and were murdered for their attempts by those who sought to keep them. They paid the price for their mistake and to hold them under still more scrutiny is giving way to darkness. I say to you now, to hate one who was wayward that returns to you to beg forgiveness, giving up their own lives as payment of debt, and you return this offer by spitting on them in response. You are no better than the Black Hand you seek to remove from this land.

Be on the watch always, because the wicked will never face you openly and stands near to you in order to incite needless hatred of those around you in order that he may also gain your trust.

I will pray for all of you that you never know what it is like to be tempted with solutions to your life's problem, only to find out that it comes at a greater cost."

She looks upon the drawn crowds one last time before turning, following her path to Torm's house.

The gathered begin to look upon one another, slowly dispersing each in their own way.

[Keldri]

Revenark of the Stoneholds tries to find clarity in the bottom of his mug the memories of his life before are still alluding his grasp. He overhears the rumors that are spreading at the bar.

*Rev mumbles to him self*," some people be'ah needing to find any fault in people of honor they can, even twist the facts so they can desperately hold on to the delusion that all are just as weak and laking in honor as themselves ,if only just to find some way to look in the mirror" *Sighs*

*Standing up he leaves letting go of his anger as only some one as old and weary as he has become can, saying out loud to no one in particular* " That Lass did the right thing " but not saying which lass he meant, perhaps both.