Solo (Nettle District) How Do You Do?

[Orion Michaels]

61st Day of Spring, 513 AV

Patrolling the city was something which every prospective knight would need to get used to. It was simply part of the job. Long days. Long evenings. All just walking the streets of the great walled city of Syliras. Most of the time it would be boring. Most of the time nothing would happen requiring the intervention of a knight. The presence of these full plate wearing, highly combat trained warriors, however, was usually enough to keep any nefarious deeds at bay. The punishment for crime in Syliras was, after all, quite harsh. Humans, maybe they could get away with some petty things, having to spend some time in the mines for their transgressions. For the non-human populous of the city it wasn’t nearly as good. Break the law and the Knights could strike you down where you stood. More than could, actually. They would. It was one of the most difficult things for this new squire to adjust to.

Orion had never considered other races, really at all. His exposure to them had been minimal. A Kelvic here and there. A Symenstra once. A Myrian. That was about it. It never thought of them as being less or more than humans. They just were. It had been explained to him that they were to be treated with suspicion on account of being outsiders. “They don’t have the ties to our great city,” Dinah had explained. “It’s not that every single outsider who comes into the city is looking to cause problems. It’s the fact that they don’t know the city. Who is most likely to break the law? Those aware of it? Or those who are ignorant.” It made sense enough, he supposed. Humans were the ones getting in tiffs after drinking too much, though. “This doesn’t quite extend to some of the more vicious races out there…such as Zith. Those monsters barely deserve a second thought in my opinion.” Dinah could be scary when she was passionate about something. The woman loved Syliras. She loved everything it stood for. Anyone who threatened their way of life deserved to be cut down where they stood.

“So keep all these lessons in mind, Orion. I’m going to have you patrol the Nettle District today. On your own.” It had come as a surprised to him. A solo patrol already? It’s true, it had been nearly two thirds of a season. He wasn’t some snot-nosed little squire. Expectations were different of an adult squire, or so it seemed to the former doctor. “I’ll be in discussions all day, so I’m afraid I won’t be around to train you. The politics of being a knight, you see. Getting out on your own and watching the city like you’ll be doing for some time is going to be a wonderful lesson.” The beautiful Dinah had flashed him a smile and sent him off to get equipped for his patrol. Full plate, a long sword, and a shield. Not to mention eight hours of walking corridors, hallways, and making sure all was well in the open areas of the Nettle District.

[Orion Michaels]

Busy people rushed to and fro, coins in their pockets one moment, various trinkets and baubles in their hands the next. Everyone had somewhere to be, something to do, and it was, of course, more important than what any of the other citizens needed to do. Orion had walked throughout the district all morning, and those busy, busy people hardly paid him any mind. While it could have been taken as a slight, in reality it was a sign that all was well at the time. No one wanted much to do with a Knight unless there was a problem, that was for sure. Shoppers and workers had moved out of the squire's way as the sound of heavy metal armor clanking across the stone encroached upon them. Despite the minimal reaction, he was given the due respect a member of the knights, squire or no, deserved.

"Good day, Ser. I hope you are having yourself a good day." An older woman with hair quite gray and skin weathered by time had approached Orion, a toothless grin upon her face. "My husband was a knight just like you, you know? Strong, proud, brave. And stupid. Went off and got himself killed stopping a bandit attack some years back. I do miss him, selfish as he may have been." Orion forced a half smile, taken aback of the woman suddenly spilling her life story. She wanted to talk to him, or at him, rather, and Orion didn't have the heart to tell her hewas nothing but a squire. "Thank you for your kind words, ma'am. I'm doing quite well, and I'm terribly sorry for your loss." And just like that Orion had himself a companion for the rest of his patrol. Merril Webster, a spry, if elderly woman. Orion would barely get a word in as she rambled on the entire day.

"He was just so hands, exactly like you, deary," she remarked, wrinkled cheeks rosy whilst she looked up at the tall squire.

"You flatterer," Orion countered. "You really know how to make a fellow blush." the old woman laughed as she quite enjoyed herself. "Sonny, I've got a grandson about your age. He went off to who knows where working for the knights, just like his grand papa. He sends old Merril a letter every once in awhile, though. Henry was supposed to be engaged to be married to a pretty little thing, but when he got sent off, they called it quits. Too bad, too bad." The woman's story was all over the place, but as long as Orion made some sort of sound acknowledging her or at least nodded, she was quite content.

Gods this woman can talk..

"I hope he's okay, ma'am. I mean, I'm sure your grandson is okay. I'm sorry to hear about his relationship."

"You're too much. Do you have a sweetheart, sonny? I've got a granddaughter."

"Oh boy...."

[Orion Michaels]

When woman had had none give her the time of day in several years, well, it could build up quite the reserve of conversation. The floodgates were open, and Orion was standing below the dam. Still, it made things interesting, at least for the time. She was full of tales of valor, great battles which likely didn't happen, but it seemed that her husband had told her a little history that caught Orion's attention.

"You're a squire. You know the history of the the knights, right?" Uh oh. Was it shameful that he didn't? Dinah had touched on it and told him to study it, but she'd done little actual instruction on the matter, and between all the training and patrols, well, he'd really not gotten around to it. "Ah...well...why don't you tell me what you know of it?" Good recovery, Orion.

The woman scrunched up her face in a questioning matter, and then nodded, accepting his suggestion. It was an excuse to talk, anyways. "Fair enough, sonny. See, the knights, there were formed when a Konti and two brothers got together and decided to work together to bring her vision to life. Nila was her name. Lawrence and Leon Dyres were the brothers. She had this dream, this vision, like we all do when we're dumb and young. She wanted that someday there would be a city on the Suvan Sea, with a knightly order protecting the people. With all their efforts combined, they recruited, trained, and created the order. Leon married the Konti. Lawrence, on the other hand, is the start of the bloodline that we trace to our very leader. Named after Sylir, they all worked together to lay the foundation for what we today call the Syliran Knights."

It seemed simplified, and surely there were a lot of details about the specifics, but honestly, Orion hadn't heard anything like it. He'd never bothered to look at the start of the organization he was joining, and it was quite embarrassing the more he thought of it. "Ah..That was lovely, Miriam. Thank you for the story."

"Story? Son, that's our history. That's your history. It's more than a story. It's the very stone on which you walk. Don't disrespect those fallen. Don't disrespect my husband. And darn it, don't disrespect who you're becoming."

"I..didn't mean..."

"I know." She smiled and they continued on their way, as she happily continued to recount stories of her grandchildren. Orion didn't hear any of them, though, as this random woman had managed to make the fresh squire question himself.

[Orion Michaels]

Any opportunity for the budding squire to feel sorry for himself was quickly cut short. On the woman droned, Orion had learned to tone her out quite quickly. She didn't matter anymore, despite her apparent wealth of knowledge. What did matter was this rather out of place fellow. Ragged dirty cloak with a hood pulled up. Glancing back and forth nervously. What is this guy up to? "I'm sorry ma'am, I've appreciated the conversation, but I need to go. Please take care of yourself, Miriam." He bowed to the elderly woman and turned his attention to try and see what the figure was up to.

As they crept along, it didn't take long for Orion to figure out that subtlety wasn't their strong suit. Dressed they way they were, sneaking along, constantly glancing about. And very clearly after a specific person. A tall, lean man who was dressed in quite the elegant clothing. Silk, it seemed, much like the clothing which Orion had purchased at the Spring Festival. [i]A pickpocket?[i], the squire wondered, making his way closer. Crime wasn't unheard of in the city, but boy it didn't pay. If it really was a cut purse, they'd better hope to be human. At least then it would be a season of work in the mines. Otherwise things didn't look good. Orion frowned as the wealthy looking man turned a corner with the stalker right on his tail. The armored man was forced to spring into action when he caught the glint of steel being retrieved.

The clomping and clacking of the steel armor slamming against the ground and the plates bouncing and hitting against one another took over the sounds of busy people working and conversation. If there was one thing he'd learned, running in the knightly armor sucked and it was noisy as petch. It was impossible to keep good form. Still, he pumped his arms back and forth, lunging forward with each stride to try and stop this man from being mugged, or worse yet, meeting an untimely death.

It was one thing to walk in the armor. This running, it was something else all together. His lungs screamed, and his legs burned, but it was enough, as he turned the corner in time to see the thug yelling at the wealthy man, who was now laying on the ground, but seemingly uninjured. He was instead trying to scoot along the floor to escape, looking up with panicked eyes.

"You're a bastard, Leo Valini! How could you fire me? What am I supposed to do for my family!?"

"I-I-It was nothing personal! We had people willing to w-work for less! Only for business!" The man stammered, trying to plead his case. Unfortunately for him, the man was buying none of it. Worse yet, his back was very literally up against a wall.

"I don't car-" The man whirled around quickly when he heard Orion coming, a looked of shock quickly overcome by one of rage as his plan was foiled by the arrival of the squire. He turned back to Mr. Valini and raised his dagger, ready to strike the man down.

"Stop! Think about what you are doing," Orion yelled, drawing his own blade.

"What do you know?" He lowered the blade slightly, snarling at Orion. "You live the privilaged life of a knight. While my family starves because men like him want to save a coin or two!"

"Let me ask this," Orion said, inching closer and closer to the disgruntled employee. "If you slay this man, and you work the mines for the rest of your life, or are executed for your crime, who will take care of your family then? Will they be any better off without their provider?" Orion would avoid bloodshed if possible. If he could talk this man down, everyone could go on their way and life could continue. If not...

"So what do you suggest? We let people like this just drive us into the ground?"

"No, I suggest you don't let being fired stop you from living your life. He can't be the only employer."

The man had turned to face Orion, and Leo wasn't going to waste that chance. He scrambled to his feet and was ready to take off down the corridor. The man turned to face him, face twisting in fury. "No you, don't!" He raised the dagger to stab down at his former employer's back during his retreat. Orion had come close enough, though, to do something about it. His long sword lashed out, catching the man in the arm which was using the dagger. In the blades trail was left a scream, torn flesh, and a torrent of blood which splattered against the ground. The victim grasped as his arm and collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain.

"Wrong choice! It didn't have to go down like this. Mr. Valini, was it? Please stop your running. Things are under control."

Orion took a deep breath and examined the situation. This man had gone about it all wrong. You lose a job, talk to the employment center and the knights will get you employed again. It wasn't that difficult. He'd report back to Dinah and hopefully she would approve of his handling. First things first was dealing with the thug and Mr. Valini. "Please go and fetch another knight to deal with this man."

The man gave him a somewhat indignant look. "Do you know who I am? You think you can set me on a task like that?"

A wicked smirk jumped upon Orion's lips. One of these types, huh? "I guess I could leave you here with the man who wished for your life."

Realization set in on the businessman's face, and he chuckled in spite of himself. "You've got me there. A quick tongue and a quick blade. I like you." He walked past Orion to complete that which was requested. "After we wrap all this up, I think I'd like to speak to you Ser...?"

"Michaels. Orion Michaels. And I'm afraid I don't deserve that title as of yet. I'm but a humble squire."

"I'm sure it won't take you long, Mr. Michaels, to rise through the ranks."

"I can only hope."

[Orion Michaels]

"Why are you helping him!?" The man shouted at Orion through gritted teeth. Constantly he took deep, labored breaths, trying to push through the pain of his injured arm so that he could reprimand Orion. "He's a selfish man who only cares about his coin. You and those petchin' Knights only protect people like him." The man started to pull himself up to his feet, and at that time the squire realized the foolish mistake the he had made. The dagger had been left by the disgruntled ex-employee, and now it was back in his hands. "Petch you! Petch them! Petch you all!"

Orion raised his shield just in time to deflect an incoming blow from the dagger. "What are you doing, you fool!?" He readied his blade to strike if need be. The jabs and slashes which came were weak and awkward as they weree from the wounded man's off hand, but to call Orion's deflections anything but awkward to be be a diservice to the word. "I'm fully armored and another knight is on the way. If you keep this up, you'll be forfeiting your life!" Ting! Another blow was deflected harmlessly off the heavy plane of protection, causing Orion to grunt in frustration. He wanted to yell at him, but instead he looked into the bleeding man's eyes. What he saw was not a man who wished to fight. Instead, he saw something in him that was all too familiar to the former doctor. Tired, sunken in eyes which belonged to someone who had long since given up. Orion had been there more times than he was happy to admit. "Listen! I'll let this part go! I won't say a word, you just have to stop! It's okay to be mad! You just can't up and murder someone over it." Orion blocked another half hearted strike and resisted his own urge to lash back at the desperate man and his empty eyes. "You can overcome anything! I was a cook before the storms hit last year!" Of course, he left out the details of being medically trained, but that wouldn't serve his message well, and it was a message he fully believed in.

Another stab came, and this time it was enough. It was time to try out something which Dinah had taught him, and taught in a rather painful manner.

Upwards did his shield go, striking at the underarm of his assailant. Orion then used his extra weight from his armor to step in and shoulder check the man into the wall. Finally, the squire raised his weapon so he could end it all. If it were a death blow, the heavy steel blade would hack into his foe's neck and shoulders time and time again. As this was an angry civilian who posed little to no threat, that was not needed. Instead, Orion brought the bottom of his hilt down on the man's skull, connecting with a crushing, debilitating blow. His skin split open and a steady stream of blood instantly formed and flowed forth from the gash. After Orion leaned back, removing his weight from the man, the fool crumbled to the ground. This time Orion was not going to make a mistake. He kicked the dagger away, making sure there was no chance of it being in his reach. What were you thinking? I didn't have to go down like this, you vagik...

Orion turned around, surprised by the sound of slow paced clapping. Before him stood Mr. Leo Valini and a unranked knight with whom Orion was unfamiliar. "Stupendous, Squire Michaels," began Mr. Valini. "It's just as I said, Ser. This squire saved my life all whilst waiting until the last moment to resort to any violence." The broad shouldered knight harumphed, moving past Orion and the wealthy man to retrieve the criminal. Mr. Valini strode up to his noew found interest, the twenty something year old doctor turned squire and clamped his hand on a shoulder. "You are everything which I'd expect from the knights. You have a friend in the Valini household, and the most important friend, I might add," he said, chuckling to himself. "Should you find yourself in need of any further work on the side, please don't hesitate to contact me. I could make use of a skilled young man like you."

"You're too kind, Mr. Valini. I'm not nearly that great."

"And you're too humble." Mr. Valini began to walk away. "You'll be hearing from me, Mr. Michaels."

[Accolade]

Orion Michaels

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Rhetoric	+ 1 XP
Observation	+ 2 XP
Long sword	+ 2 XP
Running	+ 1 XP
Interrogation	+ 1 XP
Shield	+ 2 XP
Persuasion	+ 2 XP

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	A Squires first solo patrol
•	Dinah is a hardcore Knight
•	A date for the patrol
•	History of the Syliran Knights -basic
•	Saving a businessman is good for business
•	Mr. Leo Valini - a friend in the Valini household

Notes :

Good solid solo, with a bit of everything. Well done.

The Sylir has spoken

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can figure it out.