The Dread Baron.

[cowabounga]

Could it be a plot?

[grangel]

Beautiful Story! Please go on!

[Wolf Knight]

Could it be a plot?

I am sue it is... Sir Ranulf knows what he is doing 

[Rhalius]

With Jory and Stephan locked up, Ranulf and Cedric enjoy a cup of fine wine. Baron Blacktower and the captain of the guard join them to celibrate the safety of the castle and a job well done.


While King Phillip is taking a walk around the courtyard, thinking about how to handle the upcoming trial, Frederick, Henry and Roderick approach him.

Roderick: "Excuse me sire, how do you plan to handle the trial tomorrow? We know them by reputation.. they are honest men and they always showed great honour in jousting matches as far as I have heard."
King Phillip: "If the armor truly belongs to either of them it would be a perfect fit. Such elaborate full plate armors are made to fit their owner perfectly."
Frederick: "Do you plan to make them try on the armor tomorrow sire?"
King Phillip: "Yes, but that is only part of the trial. We need to be absolutely certain that we keep the right man locked up."
Henry: "What will happen to the one that is the Dread Baron?"
King Phillip: "I will keep him in the prison, and he will be questioned about what he did with the gold he has stolen. It should be returned to the rightfull owner."

In the meanwhile, it seems that Cedric, Baron Blacktower and the guard captain could not handle their drinks, they appear to be sleeping.

Ranulf grins: "That should stop Cedric for quite a while.. With him out of the way and the two other experienced knights in jail.. there will be no one left thats able to stop me!"

[Rhalius]

Ranulf moved upstairs, one of the soldiers was guarding the dark armor.

Soldier: "Sir Ranulf, why are you here?"
Ranulf: "The prisoners are escaping!"

The soldier moved to look out of the window. "I don't see anything going on down there.."

Ranulf knocked the guard unconcious with the hilt of his sword when he was distracted.

He then proceeded to change into the armor of the Dread Baron, and it seemed to fit him perfectly.

Ranulf let out a low and boisterous laughter: "Muhahahaha, now it is time to get my revenge.. None of them ever suspected me to be.. the Dread Baron!"

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((with the Dread Knight revealed, what is he up to? That will be answered tomorrow! ))

[Wolf Knight]

i knew it!!! 

[Giorginetto]

Excellent stuff !!!!! Actually  i do hope the dread baron wins the day 

[Rhalius]

Unaware of the Dread Baron, the ladies of the court and Pierre where having a light discussion to help brighten the mood.

Queen Dominique: "I am sorry that your luggage has been misplaced Elena, perhaps Lady Blacktower can lend you a dress if needed?"
Lady Blacktower: "All my dresses are pink though.. and I am not really comfortable with other women around me wearing pink as well, I like to stand out."
Pierre: "Well I think the yellow dress looks fabulous on her, I can't pull off yellow with my blonde curls and its such a lovely color."
Lady Blacktower: "Well it is no pink though, yellow is more a color for commoners.. the same color as the grain that they harvest."
Elena sighed wearily and was hoping not all talks with the ladies of the court (and Pierre) would be like this.

Suddenly, the door slammed wide open and the menacing Dread Baron rushed out of the door!

Completely surprised and terrified by this man who let out a boisterous laugh, the ladies squeek with fear, Pierre feints from this sudden terror, and the guard grasps his spear firmly and steps forward, ready to protect the queen and the other ladies.

Seeing the commotion on the balcony, the king yells out: "Protect the queen!"

Wasting no time, Roderick, Henry and Frederick quickly draw their swords as they look up at the Dread Knight as he beats down the poor guard with ease.

With all guards on alarm, they quickly abandon their posts and gather to try and stop the Dread Baron. An archer quickly runs down from the tower, but is to late to stop the Dread Baron from capturing the queen.

Ranulf: "Everybody will keep their distance if they want their queen to live."
He aimed his sword at Queen Dominique's back, forcing her to move down the stairs.
Everyone couldnt do much else than watch helplessly as the Dread Baron walked down with the Queen. Doing their best to keep the king and the children safe, the three friends moved infront of them with their swords still drawn, waiting for an opportunity.

[Rhalius]

Much to everyone's surprise, a black knight riding a prisoner wagon back up into the castle.

With all guards away from their posts and the drawbridge down, there was nothing to stop him as he stepped from the cart to open the cage.
Ranulf: "If anyone of you attacks my associate, that will mean the end for your queen."

While everyone can do nothing but watch while the Queen is forced into the cage at swordpoint by the Dread Baron, the other black knight readies his axe. He stands ready to strike at anyone why might attack the Baron.

King Phillip: "Ranulf? why are you doing this? we have so much history, we have fought side by side."
Ranulf: "You always where too weak to be a ruler Phillip. Your taxes are too low, you let your enemies live and you spend way too much gold on improving the lives of the common people. It is time someone steps up and exposes you as the weakling you are."
King Phillip: "My people deserve better than a Tyrant, what are you planning to do with my wife?"
Ranulf: "She will be taken somewhere safe, from there we will let you know what the price of her freedom will cost you."

With the queen locked up, the black knight moves back to his seat on the cart.

Roderick: "We will hunt you down and capture you, you won't get away."
Ranulf: "I don't need to get away, only my associate and your queen have to. And you will have to get past me to get to her."

Wasting no time, the soldiers bravely charge forward from both sides, trying to get past the knight and get to their queen, but the Dread Baron's reputation seems to be justified: He easily defeats several guards at once, they can't get past him.

Henry: "Withdraw and protect the others, me, Roderick and Frederick will handle this!"
And so it begins.. the three friends approach the Dread Knight, who seems ready to take them all on at once.
Ranulf lets out another boisterous laugh, feeling very confident about himself: "Muhahaha, three young upstarts can't hope to defeat a veteran like me!"
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((or can they? find out this and more tomorrow. ))

[Pynedor]

Fantastic story, Rhalius! I am anxious to find out what will happen next!