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Storm hunches down in the corner of the tent. He feels slightly awkward being in the tent with what is going on between Robert and Emma, but at the same time he feels good knowing he's her 'unseen angel,' should anything go wrong. Speaking of that, Storm's blood begins to boil as well, not appreciating the 'moves' Robert is putting on a companion of his. Storm crinkles his brow and grinds his teeth, cracking his lips open and showing them (were he actually visible).

He very slowly, so as not to make any noise, removes a dagger from his belt. As he holds it in his left hand, he is momentarily distracted by the pouch of silver coins he's discovered. For a brief second, he forgets he is playing bodyguard as his natural cravings kick in. He judges the size and weight of the pouch. Can he remove it without making too much noise? And can he easily stow it so that it too becomes invisible? He begins to reach for the pouch, but then he realizes he is in no hurry. He withdraws from the pouch, fully intending to come back for it before he leaves this tent for good.

But for now he returns his energies to hating Robert and looking for a good way to make a shish-kebob out of his heart. He creeps over to the side of the 'bed' where Robert is and waits there, dagger now in his right hand. He waits, looking for the slightest reason to put this cocky aristocrat out of his misery. If Emma begins to struggle to the point at which it's clear she does not want to go farther, Storm will take action. Also, if Emma passes out or otherwise looses the ability to think for herself, Storm will also take action. As long as Emma is coherent, though, Storm will do nothing except that which is necessary to protect her.

"Why, Robert," Emma says, playfully acting as if she's equally intrigued by the idea and insulted...which in fact, she was...with the intrigued part just edging out the insulted part. "Do you seek to dull my senses with wine so you can have your way with me?" she teases, "That hardly seems the proper way to treat a lady. Surely your father would never approve of such a...dalliance?"

Her eyes dance as she takes just a small sip of wine. Inside, her heart was already beating faster with the tension of her situation. She'd never found herself in such company before...or lavished with such romantic attention from someone so...desirable? She cocked her head to one side, the wine definitely having an effect, as she considered that idea. Robert Wade IV...desirable? "Yes," she thought, "He is certainly that...handsome, clever, and skilled at working his way into a woman's heart, it would appear."

She sighs and holds her goblet of wine carefully in her lap, so as not to spill it...or allow herself to drink any more. There was no need to lose all her senses...or inhibitions. "What am I thinking?" she mentally argues, "He may want me to stay the night within his tent...but it's Hannah that he seeks to share his bed with, not me."

"Tell me, Robert," she finally spoke, deciding to change the subject and keep things on less dangerous ground, "Your father seems so driven to unite the two greatest kingdoms of Rinder and Caerloon. What drives him so? And does it also drive you? Why would you wish to precipitate a war to attain such a goal? It will cost the lives of thousands, you know? And it will also steal away the freedom of a noble people...the same people that gave birth to me. Do you seek to conquer me, too?"

She turns to look at Robert's eyes, an expression of sadness, longing, and confusion. The wine was already loosening her tongue, she thought, but the questions made sense whether they came from Emma or Hannah...and perhaps Robert's answers would prove enlightening to her own cause...and that of Rinder as well.

Robert rolls his eyes at her questions. "My dear," he responds slowly, running a finger in circles on her rosy cheeks, "all these questions. We are not butchers. We serve a higher purpose. The union of the Kingdoms under the Caerloon banner would not destroy a noble people, it would save them. And if a few common peasants are killed in the process, it is for a greater good. Why trouble yourself with the plight of those lowly villagers? Your father is a wise man, that's why the Baron chose to extend his offer to him. Your father understands that the ancient rivalry between the Kingdom of Rinder and the Kingdom of Caerloon need not continue. We were once all brothers, forming a united front against the Orcish invasion, centuries ago. Why must we now fight between ourselves, I wonder? Why not form a greater union and everyone will prosper there will be more land and more titles, and greater honors among our deserving class.

"But you understand how these things work. You are but a girl, but I can see it in your eyes. You understand. Your father sent you here because he knew it, too. One kingdom, one people, will not stand idly by while another marches upon it. There will have to be bloodshed. But you don't need to worry. Don't you let a single tear blemish that beautiful face of yours. Your father is a wise man, and he will accept the Baron's generous offer. And someday under a united flag, in the open and in the House of Seden, we will one day see each other again." He lifts Emma's chin to look her in the eyes. "And I look forward to that day."

He then leans forward and ever so slowly moves his lips toward hers. They touch, lightly at first. Then, not feeling Emma react, he presses harder, kissing her in full. His arm slowly reaches around to gently stroke her hair.

Storm's jaw drops so far so fast he's surprised it didn't plummet right through the floorboards. He stands there, just feet away from the scene, blood-stained dagger in hand, ready to pounce, and she's not even resisting! Does she know she's kissing the enemy?!? "You heard the man!" Storm thinks to himself, "he said blooshed! Bloodshead! Shouldn't that make Emma's blood boil?!?"

Emma's mind flashes thoughts so quickly they are hard to sort out. Greater good? Union? Generous offer? Bloodshed? KISSING? Who was he kissing, Emma or Hannah? And How much did she long to kiss him back?!?

MEANWHILE...

Hannibal, his voice giving away the rage in which he feels, grips his dagger tighter and hisses at Dire and Crayne. "Enough talk, mages, we must go, now! Which way did Emma go with that pig Robert?" Although not visible, a sudden sense of urgency is in his voice. "I don't care to be here any longer, with or without you I go for Emma!"

"Good point my friend!" Crayne says with a raised eyebrow, not that anyone could see it, "I think Emma has led Robert on just a little too far! She is in a very dangerous situation and has, I believe, endangered the lives of the rest of the group. We must not leave her there with Robert. I know which tent she was led into!"

Crayne describes which tent it is to Dire and Hannibal. "As you can see it is heavily guarded and I feel it maybe quite a task for us to get in there! A distraction I feel is what is required. For we cannot just leave without her and Storm. Nor can we just stand here! What do you both say?"

Hannibal, his thoughts preoccupied by what may be going on in the tent, hears nothing that Crayne says other than "distraction." Looking back in the general direction of where the two mages were, he mentally pictured their looks and grinned to himself.

"Ok Crayne, what did you have in mind and what will you have me doing in this scheme?"

"Might I point out, gentlemen," Dire's voice chimes in, "that Emma is a clever woman. She would not allow herself to be led away if she were so worried about her safety. Besides, she could be gaining valuable information as we speak, hmm?"

"Yeah, or Robert could be pulling her limbs off her body one by one while he gets valuable information!" Hannibal says quickly, wanting to come to some sort of decision.

Dire replies, "Bear in mind, also, that we've been lucky so far. We've not come across any Red Dragon Mages. But the letter we've found indicates that they are either here with the army, or on their way. I can provide some sort of distraction in the form of an illusion, but if another Mage is nearby, it may serve only to let them know we're here. Do you two want to take that risk?"

MEANWHILE...

The melee is just getting going as the patrol party clashes with Edryd, Cy, and Canter. Edryd prepares and attacks his two opponents in quick succession, but the quick footwork of the two well-trained soldiers allows them both to evade his attack. Cy, too, attacks his two adversaries. One of his efforts is successful, slicing into the first soldier, but the other is not. Canter tries his best to move around for the best angle of attack, but finds himself soon overwhelmed by the two soldiers and is unable to score a hit.

Fortunately, the two soldiers opposite Edryd are no more successful at striking the Paladin than he was at hitting them. Both swing their long swords at him, but Edryd blocks one with his blade and quickly moves aside to let the other catch only air. Cy, meanwhile, finds himself blocking one attack, but he soon feels the trickle of blood as the other soldier attack him manages to find an open spot in his defense (4 hp damage). Canter, backpedaling and overwhelmed, comes under furious attack. Unfortunately, he anticipates wrong, and suffers crushing blows from both attackers, which open wide wounds in his upper chest and slice through some of the links in his chain vest.

Edryd then goes on the counterattack, lashing out at the patrol leader and pushing his other attacker back. He strikes the patrol leader hard, opening up a gash in the man's leg. Cy, too presses forward. With a strong thrust the end of his blade pierces his enemy; the warrior smiles with the hit. Canter, not wanting to continue getting pumelled by these two men, strikes back, hitting one of them very hard. Blood splatters on Canter's ripped chain mail as his blade slices into his enemy.

As the ebb and flow of the battle continues, Edryd is parry attacks by his two opponents. He blocks one, but just cannot react quick enough to block the other. He feels the blade penetrate his skin and the warmth of his blood as it seeps out of the wound. (7 hp damage) "Cy, a little assistance over here perhaps?" Edryd squeaks out in his companion's direction. "I've got quite a lot to deal with over here!" Cy replies. He is just getting into the rhythm of the battle, observing his enemy's moves. But the first of his two attackers comes on very strong, and manages to hit him. (6 hp damage) Stung but unfazed, Cy keeps his wits about him, and parries to block the attack of the other soldier. Canter, still on adrenaline from the beating he took just seconds before, aggressively defends himself as two soldiers press their attack on him, and he manages to evade both attacks.

Edryd continues his fight, doing his best to take on the two strong fighters before him. He finds his attacks stifled, however, as they are blocked on both accounts. Cy, meanwhile, scores a hit on one of the soldiers, but finds his attack on the other blocked. Canter, too, finds both his attacks on his enemies meeting with failure. "This was much easier when there was eight of us!" he calls out.

Edryd, grinding his teeth, spins around and blocks another attack. Yet he again feels the pain of a sword striking his skin as his other attacker manages to hit him (4 hp damage). Cy is quickly struck by one of his adversaries (4 hp damage), but blocks the attack of the other, the "clang!" of their swords echoing through the night. Canter, meanwhile, miraculously manages to evade one attack and block the other, staying as quick on his feet as he can. "Emma and the gang can show up any time now! Now would be a good time!"

1. Emma and Storm: How receptive is Emma to this kiss?!? Or has she had just about enough for one night. And what is Storm's reaction to the events literally played out just feet from his very eyes?!

2. Hannibal and Crayne (and Dire): How will you "rescue" Emma and Storm (keeping in mind you don't know for sure what is going on with Emma and Robert). What sort of distraction would you use to get past the guards? If you wantan illusion, Dire will try to provide it, but consider his warning.

3. Edryd and Cy (and Canter): Any specific actions for the continuing battle? Please send me any actions for the next three to four rounds (as you can tell I'm moving this battle along in larger chunks than usual). Your HP Status is as follows: Edryd: 10/21, Cy: 15/32, Canter: 6/22. All six enemy soldier are still standing and attacking. Four have been hit, but only one (one of the two opposite Canter) looks seriously hurt.

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