Chivalry and Dread.

[DrDalek6]

I saw this the other evening but, it was to late in the evening for me to comment, what an unpleasant turn of events I hopCedric can defeat him and Sir Chirstopher manages to defeat him but, it looks as though there's still more surprises to come  .

[Rhalius]

While the battle rages on, Sir Christopher has been taken to a friendly nun who tends to his wounds.

He feels better already after his wound gets bandaged, but he will need quite some time to recover.

All eyes are fixated on Cedric and the Dread Baron.

Now that Cedric is fighting him everyone is a bit less worried now. The people are even watching the battle curiously, they never saw anything like it before. They just keep going, neither of them growing tired yet.

Not taking any chances, Sir Constantine has moved back to stand next to his son and the other nobles.

While normally he would stand ready to help out his fellow knights, there are plenty of others present and he want to ensure the safety of his son.

The three friends are watching in awe at Cedric, they never saw him struggle to win a battle before. They wish they could do more than watch though.

Henry: "There must be something we can do to help... I don't like standing around like this."
Roderick: "Cedric said he may not be alone.. maybe we should investigate."
Frederick: "Maybe we should have a look at the building he came out of? he might have been waiting in there for a while."
Roderick: "Sounds like a plan, let's move."

And so they move to investigate the building.. Henry is a bit reluctant to go though.. He'd like to help his brother even though he knows he is no match for the Baron.

Cedric seems to narrowly escape the attacks of the baron, his armor keeps him safe though.
And the remaining knights just watch, eager to jump in but respecting Cedric's wishes. All of them want to help.

Well.. all of them that are not passed out that is.

[Rhalius]

With drawn swords, the three friends spread out to ensure all exits of the building are covered before moving in. If theres anyone else in there, they won't escape.


Both the Dread Baron and Cedric have picked up a second weapon, showing masterty at dual wielding weaponry as they try to outsmart each other, giving their opponent two weapons to focus on.

King Phillip, Queen Dominique and Baron Blacktower watch the fight, rooting for their good friend Cedric to win. They start to realise the importance Cedric holds to them.. he has kept their enemies at bay all those years, they may have taken this for granted.
Prince Edward also watches the fight with great anticipation, smiling slightly as he considers that the Dread Baron may have the upper hand.
And lady Blacktower? she doesnt quite seem to get how serious the situation is. All she knows is that this baron is being rude, and that no one is looking at her right now.

As the Baron is slowly overpowering Cedric, pushing him down to the ground, all eyes are focused on them. No one seems to notice that a hooded archer is opening a window! They are too focused looking at Cedric as he stabs the baron in the shoulder to get him to back off.


In the meanwhile, the archer sits down, takes an arrow from his quiver and glances over the tournament field as he takes aim.


Frederick has found his way to the door, unaware of the archer behind it as he opens the lock.

Who is this archer aiming for, and will Frederick be in time to stop him?

((will be continued soon.))

[playmovictorian]

This epic story is told with such maestria 

The close up pictures added to a great sense of humour are bringing so much life to it !

It is sensational 

Karim

[DrDalek6]

  Uh can't wait to find out what happens next hope Frederick can stop the archer in time 

[Tiermann]

Oh dear, oh dear - an archer!! Look out you people!!

[Rhalius]

Frederick opens the door, when he sees the archer he acts quickly and moves in to stop him.


But as soon as he puts a foot inside the house, he is surprised by a big man with a big sword jumping in front of him, determined to push him back!


In the meanwhile, it seems Cedric has finally gotten the upper hand over the Dread Baron.

Everyone is cheering for him, hes about to defeat this most dangerous foe. He's bearing down on his defence with two swords, proving to be the better swordsman in the end.
But as he is standing over the Dread Baron, he notices something out of the corner of his eye.. there is another danger.. he can just feel it... but where?

King Philip smiles as Cedric seems to gain controll over the situation, unaware that the hooded archer is aiming for him!

The whizzing sound of an arrow can be heard as its released from the bow, rapidly making its way towards King Phillip's heart!

At the sound of the arrow, Cedric abandons his fight with the Dread Baron and leaps on the stage, in front of King Phillip to take the arrow for him!

While his armor is thick, the arrow pierced through it still as Cedric is gasping for air.  The queen screams, and everyone seems surprised by this sudden attack!
Weakly, Cedric speaks: "G..Get to.. safety.." Then he collapses on the stage.

While this causes fear and panic for everyone, it most strongly affects Henry and Elena, as they see their brother collapse!

[Rhalius]

With tears in their eyes, King Phillip, Queen Dominique, Baron Blacktower and Lady Blacktower look at Cedric a moment before running off the stage and to safety. Sir Jory, Sir Stephen and the guard captain escort them to safety, protecting them with their shields as the archer seems to fire more arrows at their direction.

It pains them to leave Cedric behind, but they must for their own safety.

In the meanwhile, Roderick has heard the sound of clashing swords and has come to help Frederick! 

Frederick: "Help me with this guy, there's an archer inside of here, and he's already firing arrows!"

Archers on the tower are returning fire at the archer, forcing him to retreat back inside the house.


The Dread Baron however, is back on his feet and looks quite pleased towards Cedric, who is not moving anymore.

Dread Baron: "Muhahahaha, Your champion is dead! now there will be no one left to stop me!"
The knights around him, while they are affraid and know none could match the baron individually, they are ready for battle.
Sir Gareth Boulaise: "We will stop you, no matter what!"

Dread Baron: "Unlikely, you all proved weaker than Christopher and he was nothing compared to me! Muhaha-" He suddenly gets interrupted as Henry rushes at him and agressively pushes him down, seemingly coming out of nowhere!

Henry is very angry: "Murderer! You will pay for what you did to my brother!"

Before anyone can come to his aid, the Dread Baron is quick to recover and easily defeats Henry, now he has him at his mercy.

Dread Baron: "You are nothing compared to your brother boy, maybe I should put you out of your misery right now and put an end to the Swan Knights!"
Elena has walked to the stage in the midst of all the panic, no amount of danger could keep her from going to her brother.
Her tears seem to dry as she looks at Cedric with a glimmer of hope, before she looks over at Henry and the dread baron.
Elena: "No! leave my brothers alone!"
Dread Baron: "If anyone gets near me he dies. I'm leaving now, but I'll be back."
Sir Godfrey: "You aren't going anywhere, we'll fight you to the death if need be!"
Sir Constantine suddenly spoke with a determined voice, drawing everyone's attention instantly: "No, we won't!"

Constantine continues: "Too much blood has been spilled today.. let the Baron through.. Henry saved my life earlier today, protecting me from a knight just as dreadfull as this one. We can't risk his safety."
The Baron grinned: "Smart move.. now get out of my way."

Reluctantly, the knights stepped aside to let the Baron pass through. They respect Constantine's words of wisdom.

[Rhalius]

In the meanwhile, Roderick and Frederick haven't managed to get past the burly swordsman yet. In a desperate attempt to get to the archer, Roderick grabs hold of him and pulls him down the stairs with him. They still fight each other on their way down as Roderick yells: "Get that archer Frederick! I'll handle this one!"

Frederick hesitated a moment, but then moved inside. He hadnt seen what was happening on the tournament grounds, but the screams he heard where enough to know that archer had to be stopped.

But when Frederick steps in the room, the archer jumps out of the window!

Frederick: "Hey! get back here so I can defeat you!"

It seems the hooded archer had a horse waiting for him, he lands right in the saddle!

Frederick: "Don't make me come down there!"

Few soldiers noticed the archer since pretty much all eyes where focused on the dread baron after the archer retreated into the house.
Holding Henry hostage, the Dread Baron has moved to the gates, still surrounded by knights, soldiers and the swan squires.

Dread Baron: "This weakling isn't even worth killing, come back at me when you learned how to wield a sword!"

He kicks Henry towards the knights before he runs through the gates and to his horse.

All the knights run after the baron, hoping to stop him from escaping!

But they aren't fast enough to stop the Baron from getting on his horse and riding away.

Dread Baron: "Muhahahaha, this is a day of dread, remember it!"

[Rhalius]

Roderick is still fighting against the brutish man as they make their way  further down the stairs.


It also seems that the hooded archer is making his escape as well, taking full advantage of the ongoing panic!


Frederick however, is climbing on the balcony and glances down as he tries to keep his balance and talks to himself: "I did warn him.."



((to be continued soon.))