The Iron Tarot: Blood and Iron

[dangelo]

Theodore is 30 years old, black hair and beard and heavy-built; He mainly expresses his charisma through empathy and honesty.
"I'm Theodore. I was a soldier, but I made a vow. I was... trying to help."

[B3ZERKER]

"Well.. we'll find out won't we? Come along." The commander stated, in a tone that brooked no argument.

[dangelo]

"Can I take my belongings?" He asks. "I have a knife with me, if you wanna take it too."

[B3ZERKER]

"We're not thieves. Keep what you have."

[dangelo]

Theodore moves towards the priest, as of offering himself to keep carrying him. Otherwise he will follow the crusaders as instructed, making a quiet prayer.

[B3ZERKER]

"You said yourself the villagers will kill that priest. Leave him here, my men will keep watch." The commander ordered, as they made their way to the town. An old man dressed in white, golden robes accompanied by two women in black and white dresses, approached on horseback. He asked. "What has transpired here? A priest beaten by his flock? Madness!"

[dangelo]

"I felt the same way right away. I'm still not sure." He tags along the warriors. "A woman was burned yesterday. I don't know why he would do this, but that priest is not a man of faith. He works against His will."

[B3ZERKER]

"We'll know soon enough." The commander stated as they reached the village. The inhabitants came out and bowed, some pointing at Theodore.

[dangelo]

Theodore isn't sure about how much he's allowed to talk, so he just says "I'm sorry, people or Venslam, but I need your help again..." he gestures towards the warriors. "These honored men are intrigued about what happened here..."

[B3ZERKER]

Noah's figure emerges through the crowd, bowing alongside the other villagers at the sight of the knights. He stated plainly. "The priest, Renauld, has raped a young woman in this village. When we found out, he tried to run and lie to the folk 'ere. In addition, he has taken advantage of the loss we have suffered after the war with the Viridian Empire. I take full responsbility and ask to receive any punishment that these people would otherwise receive."

The commander, took off his helmet, revealing a blonde, handsome, young face. He replied. "Your story coincides with this Theodore's. Your Grace, what shall we do with this Renauld?"

A few hushed whispers went through the crowd, as the word archdeacon was thrown around.

The old man stated. "Send some of your men Commander to escort Renauld to Frenai. There, he will be interrogated and likely, executed. To think such filth infiltrated our ranks."

"Yes your Grace."

One of the knights rode off, back to the disgraced priest's location.

[dangelo]

Your grace? Was he crazy or that knight had just called the other one his "grace"?
Theodore follows the rider. "I'm sorry, sir-" He tries to keep the conversation low, following him away from the others. "I fear that Renault might know something we don't... is it really the only way? To be completely honest, when you found me I was trying to figure out a way to keep him alive. I don't know. I just don't want more people to die around here, sir, I'm sorry."

[B3ZERKER]

"I understand your intentions, however, the law is the law. It is immutable. His offences, which are now backed up by an entire village worth of witnesses, are punishable by death. If you wish for another sentence to be carried out instead, you will have to appeal at his trial. As for any information, the church's holy inquisition can pull any secrets through their thorough methods." The commander announced. He turned to the old man in the ornate robes. "Archdeacon, there is a tavern or the church, the latter of which I suspect might be filled with foul spirits however. It will likely need to be consecrated once more."

[dangelo]

Although Theodore prepares to leave, he stalls a bit looking for an opportunity to be useful to the knights and maybe stay on their good side. If they don't seem to expect anything from Theodore, he'll just hit the road, avoiding to look the villagers in the eyes.

[B3ZERKER]

"I do apologise, Theodore I believe, for the chase we gave earlier. We had no idea of the situation at hand and well, the evidence that we had wasn't immediately in your favour. If it's possible, I would like to discuss further what has transpired here. We would be willing to pay you for your time as well." The commander extends a hand. "My name is Commander Kendal."

[dangelo]

Theodore is taken by surprise, expecting to be shoved off by them. "Commander, absolutely, I understand it was a delicate situation, you acted with all the cautious needed."
"But commander Kendal, what could a pilgrim like me help your cause? I just try to do what's right, sir, and I'm certainly not as capable as your men in the battlefield."

[B3ZERKER]

"Battle? The war's over. What I'm asking for is a more detailed report on what has transpired. Also, from the looks of you, pilgrims don't carry longswords." Kendal continued. "Where do you hail from?"

[dangelo]

"That I can give you." He nods.
"I was a soldier in my precious life. Fought under Sir Bradley's command for House Thessen." Theodore points vaguely to the horizon. "Been walking for a while now."

[B3ZERKER]

"I see. Well, let's discuss this in the village's tavern. I certainly could use a drink. This big fellow here should join us." Kendal replied.

[dangelo]

"This tavern is run by fine people. It will be my pleasure."
Theodore tags along. Well, back to Venslam. This time he actually looks people in the eyes and waves slightly.

(Sorry, today was crazy!)

[B3ZERKER]

As they arrived at the tavern, Theodore could see Don cleaning up and reparing what he could of the damages Noah had inflicted when he had thrown Renauld around the bar. However, Don didn't say a word to Noah about it.
His attention was firmly on Commander Kendal, which he immediately pulled up a seat for. He asked with a bow. "How might I be of service to you lord?"
Kendal replied, as he set his helmet onto a table. "Beer if you would." He set four gold coins on the table, a ludicrous price for the alcohol.
"Now" He continued. "How did this all come about?"

[dangelo]

Theodore picks up a chair, discreetly greeting Don. "I came here last night. Fortunately this is home of good people, and Renauld was taking advantage of them."
"I followed him into the church. Heard him saying terrible things to Greta." He explains. "In the end I realized he was going to make another victim. An innocent little child."
"After that all I did was get the girl out of here."

[B3ZERKER]

"I see. I must ask you to desist from discussing this to anyone outside the village. All the evidence appears to be on your side but there are members of the clergy that would see your actions as traitorous, even given the circumstances. They seeketh not to serve God Irel but to rule through his power. Luckily, Archdeacon Encelle, the priest I am escorting, is not of that nature. I will need further detail on this however. What was his motivations for going specifically after this girl? Why come to the tavern instead of requesting her presence to the church?" Kendal asked.

[dangelo]

"The girl was... special." Theodore mesures his words. "I thougth he was planning to burn her like a witch... But now I'm not so sure. Maybe he wanted to kidnap her. Renauld bragged about his plans to become a bishop." He carefully leaves tha "cardinal" part out of it.

[B3ZERKER]

"Then I believe I will need to meet this child, where is she?" Kendal inquired.
Don sighed and stood up, stating. "No matta who ye are, I won't let anyone hurt my charge while I-"
"Relax. I'm here to help. And to help, I have to understand the situation at hand."
"Well, umm.. not a canny lie, she's sleeping. And... no bloody soul should wake her up.
No threat, just facts 'ere."
"Then we'll wait until she awakens. Could I request some rooms for myself and the Archdeacon?"
As if by magic, the elderly man walked into the room, with the two sisters beside him.
"Ahh! Somewhere to sit. My behind has been tortured by this trip! Thank you bartender and you,
fervent believer, for hosting us."

[dangelo]

"I'm sure you have places to be soon enough. I am at your disposal if you need anything." He tells the warriors. "Don, can I help you with this place?"

[B3ZERKER]

"Yeah, if you wouldn't mind, I've gotta chuck the broken furniture out and clean up. Say, where you going after this Theodore? Bagh, not my place to ask you that, nevermind." Don replied, as he went around the bar, steadfast in his work.
Kendal and the Archdeacon sat down as Gretel made an appearance, serving them food and drink.
She whispered to Theodore. "Do you want anythin'?"

[dangelo]

"I'm not hungy, to be honest." Theodore hurries to pick up the mess and help Don how he can. "But I guess I'm staying another night. This one, I'll pay."

[B3ZERKER]

"Nah, you helped me and Anna. You can stay without payin'. Besides you're helping me out here." Don smiled.

[dangelo]

Theodore doesn't have anything else to say at the moment, anything more to do in this scene?

[B3ZERKER]

If there's nothing else you want to do, Kendal and the priest rent out the best rooms in the house and everyone eventually goes to sleep, ready for the next day. Theodore will be exhausted if he does not sleep