The Storm

[Benedict]

"We stormed your house for three reasons. The first was to find safe haven from the murderous frenzy of the villagers."

Ruthard throws the severed head at Erich's feet.

"The second reason was to kill that murderous priest that killed my father."

"The third reason is to stop this madness happening here. Release the villagers from their thralldom and you shall live. Otherwise you'll perish like that bastard over there."

Turning to Erich's men.

"I have no quarrel with you, and wish you godspeed should you choose to leave this place. Oppose me and suffer. It's your choice. I give you my word of honor as a fellow warrior on that. Or my name is not Ruthard Adler, Third Captain of the White Company."

[Korbel]

The guards lower their spears slightly and relax from fighting-ready postures.
"Sir, maybe it's not the best idea to oppose him..."

Erich raises his brows, but he doesn't say a word and watches the scene amazed, angry and curious at the same time. The awkward silence is broken by the captain of the guards:
"What the hell is going on here? You scumbags fear this albino monstrosity? Stupid fucks. I will show you how a *real* warrior behaves!
He steps forward, moves the guards aside and points at Ruthard:
I'll send you back to hell! I am the *captain* here!

[Benedict]

Ruthard assumes the Fool's Guard and readies himself for the coming assault.
"Now here is a man that doesn't fear to speak his mind."

Eyeing the guards and sporting a wicked grin Ruthard continues
"Watch closely men how a real warrior dies. Then flee for your lives."

Finally to the captain.
"You are welcome to try "captain". And then you die and feed the worms. COME!"

[Korbel]

Hold on, hold on! Erich interrupts. "We are not animals here... If the sad reality is that you must fight, I'll make sure this is a fair and honorable fight. And I don't want no bloodshed in my home, we shall go outside. I will be the second for my captain - Karl, do you want to second Ruthard? Your wife can stay in the kitchen, I'll order to feed and warm her up, and Otto too. Guards! Prepare some lanterns, we're going outside.

"Twinscars" finally says something:
Sir, my name is Kneller. I am the headhunter operating in this area, maybe you recognize me. Do I have your permission to stay inside? I have no interest in this. I'll stay here with the remaining guards.
"Very well, whatever... Erich agrees.

[Marras]

Hans seems to hesitate a bit. He doesn't want to be left alone in the house with the bountyhunter and some guards but he doesn't want to leave Hilde and Otto alone, either. After thinking a bit he says

"I'll stay in the kitchen with your family Karl. I'll make sure they will be okay."

As the tension lowers a bit and Hans can see his hands, arms and rest of his front side body in a reasonably good light he realizes that he is utterly covered in blood and he can't but give a short laugh imagining how his face must look like.

[Benedict]

"You are correct lord Erich, I'm no animal. I'm the *White Devil*, remember? I have no time for fancy duels, none of us has. After all, battle is simply carnage."

Turning to the captain, while turning from the Fool's guard to the Tail guard.
"Stand down man. Spilling your guts serves no purpose to me. Stand in my way, and God help me, I'll drop you like a dead tree."

Turning to Erich again.
"Explain yourself. Why are the village folk acting like lunatics? What it was that Georgius did to them? What is your standing in all this? And most important, how we undo it?"

[Korbel]

Just let me know when you have the *time* - or should I say, balls - to drop me, I'll be waiting for sure... the Captain keeps looking at Ruthard with a challenging spark in his eyes.

"Enough of this... polite dispute Erich says with a slight smile on his face. Dear Ruthard, you're perfectly right - fighting between us doesn't solve anything. But I'm afraid the only person who could help you is laying on the floor now... I mean, his head... I don't know how this madness in the village started and how to stop it.

[Benedict]

"He had it coming. Georgius murdered my father and turned the villagers on me. If it wasn't for Hilde and Karl I would have marched here with my company to level everything to the ground.

But enough of this. Georgius is dead, but he might be able to help all the same. He said he needed his censer to undo this thing. And as far as I know you are an expert herbalist lord Erich. I'm also a medicine man by necessity. Whatever madness was induced to the villagers, it was caused by the smoke of that damned censer. Send a guard to fetch the blasted thing so we can examine its contents. We might find a cure if we understand the poison."

[Korbel]

Sir Erich contemplates for a few seconds and sends one guard upstairs. But instead of bringing the censer, the guard runs back shouting:
"Fire! His room is on fire!"

[Marras]

"Shit! Everybody out! The house is on fire!", Hans shouts trying to create chaos.

[Korbel]

Lord Erich doesn't let the panic spread. He gives a couple of short orders and after a while the servants are running up and down with buckets of water, and the guards oversee their actions. "Twinscars" smiles at Hans' failed attempt and helps fighting the fire.

"Schneller, schneller! We don't want the manor to burn, do we?" Captain's voice could rival the thunders outside. Fortunately, after a couple of nervous minutes, the fire is extinguished. The guards (and "Twinscars") go back down to Erich, one of them is holding something in his hands.

"Sir, we have found this, it was under the bed, but.... Unfortunately, the fire didn't spare the censer and the herbs inside.

"Ruthard, I'm afraid this won't help us. Everything's burned to ash and..." Erich starts, but is interrupted by "Twinscars":

Oh this is so unlucky. What are you going to do now? Sir, as I've said, I'm a bounty hunter operating in this area. And now I'm after this man standing there - he points at Hans - he has killed my friend and then I was forced to go with them to your manor. But now I'm thinking... maybe you could help me catch him, and I'll help you get rid of the rest of these intruders?

Erich smiles in a wicked way and brings his visor down...

[Marras]

This really doesn't surprise Hans at all. The final showdown with Twinscars was coming sooner or later. Hans goes on offense.

[Benedict]

Ruthard is ready to spring to action, not relaxing his guard one bit.
"I'm disappointed with your betrayal Kneller. You are welcome to try, but make no mistake, I'll bury you like I should have before."

[Korbel]

Erich unsheathes his sword. It is a plain longsword, bearing the marks of many battles, but perfectly functional still.

I think you should surrender now - his voice sounds definitely less friendly and not only because it is projected from behind the visor - Disarm Hans, he will go with Kneller. And lovely Hilde should stay under our protection, so that nothing bad happens to her... This way you can avoid death. Accept, or face the consequences!

Hilde screams from fear.

[Benedict]

"You are already dead old man, and you don't even know it. Come and see for yourself!"