Subject: Bermid's Moment (the game resumes)

"This is no raider we have freed. He is a lawfully appointed member of our party, sent by the Elders of Segreda, as can be attested to by Noble Bermid."

The guard barely contains laughter, only smiling at Erk's words. "Noble? This one? If not for his father's name, he wouldn't be fit to clear manure from the Guard's stables. His father's discipline is nowhere in this whelp, and if he was sent with you into the Tall Grass, it is to be rid of him."

Bermid seethes, but doesn't act. It looks as though he is fit to burst, but unable to bring himself forward. Elotai moves close and whispers as the guard is finishing his diatribe.

"Bermid, we should be helping in this battle, if only for our continued survival. Can you explain to this men that we're on the same side?"

As though the words of encouragement were all he needed, Bermid steps boldly forward drawing his sword on the guard who spoke.

"If we wanted you dead, you would be dead. The only reason you still draw breath is because we are on your side, you sniveling whelp. It is not my father's name the gives me the right to bear the Guardsman's sigil, but the blood that courses through my veins - and even my most distant cousin has more strength on his deathbed than you will have in your finest hour."

Behind Erk, Kayla subtly works her magic, taking time so that she will not be noticed and to be sure she creates the desired effect.

"Stand aside, or I *will* become your enemy! You are preventing our defense of this outpost, and the price of treason is death. This barbarian is under *my* charge, by order of the Captain of the Guard, and if he betrays our cause it will be *my* sword in his back, not yours."

The speech practically knocks the guards backward with its unexpected force. It's as though the housecat turned lion in the blink of an eye. Erk, Elotai and Telwyn can see in Bermid shadows of great presence mixed with streaks of panic and anxiety. He could crack at any moment, and had mustered all his willpower into this one push. But, under it all, there is a seed of potential greatness. It is as though if he hadn't been raised under his father and grandfather's shadows, Bermid would be a formidable opponent.

After a moment of tension, as it looks like the two men are about to regroup and hold their ground, Kayla completes her incantation. Outside the door grows a sound of clashing swords and struggling voices, as though the battle has pressed back toward the tower itself. Over it all, a voice calls "To arms! To arms!" in a plea for aid.

The guards, having outside reason to concede to Bermid's words, mutter "Our apologies, Watch Commander... of course..." and turn to open the door. Bermid slumps noticeably with an exhale of breath, all energy sapped out of him. As the door opens, Holn appears running toward the opening, out of breath with his hand on his mace.

The two guards shout "For Caro!" and press their attack on the "charging" barbarian.

[Initiative Order:

Elotai 25, Second Guard 22, Kayla 15, Telwyn 14, Holn 13, First Guard 12, Erk 12, Buchek 9, Third Guard (by jail cells) 7, Bermid 3]

Subject: Re: Bermid's Moment (the game resumes)

OOC: it was nice playin' wit'chall, but I am sooooo dead.

In Character:

As Holn enters he is taken unawares. Attackers outside, attackers inside, this has not been his day. He prepares for their onslaught.

(i.e. Holn will use the action "total defense", +4 dodge bonus. That is assuming he survives the first guard, of course!)

Subject: Re: Bermid's Moment (the game resumes)

Elotai is dumbstruck by Bermid?s unexpected display of leadership. That was always the nature of humans, though ? unpredictable, always doing impulsive things. Sometimes unforseen brilliance shone through; sometimes unfathomable stupidity.

Like, for instance, these guards.

If the barbarian ? Holn, if Elotai remembered correctly ? were killed here... but no, that couldn?t happen. Could it? He hadn?t seen it. He had seen Holn before, had expected the man to be with him in the grasslands. Elotai had seen the dwarf Erk drowning, gasping for air. He had not seen Holn die. The man, then, had to be kept alive if Elotai wanted to get out to the grasslands.

?STOP!? he shouts. ?He is with Bermid!? He moves forward, trying to get himself between the guards and Holn, keeping his sword?s tip down to remind them that he is not an enemy... and silently praying that his mage armour holds if they attack him.

Subject: Re: Bermid's Moment (the game resumes)

OOC: What horrible timing, Holn... good luck ;)

Kayla makes an enormous mental groan when she sees Holn at the door. "Of all the,..." she starts to mutter.

Leaving the hand-to-hand fighting to her companions, she steps quickly out of the way and begins singing to inspire courage in Holn and the rest of her friends. With luck, the guard will assume she is singing for them, not the "intruder."

"Gather round ye kinder
and listen to this tale,
of warriors brave and cunning
who have come to save the day."