Klaus enters the castle training yard as Augustus Schmellenmeier drives him across the packed earth. Augustus is a young adult man, broad-shouldered and clean-shaven, wearing battered practice plate with a red surcoat.
Augustus Schmellenmeier
You give ground again, Klaus. Have the years made you cautious, or merely slower?
Steel rings against steel. Augustus's sword hammers down, then cuts sharply toward the exposed gap beneath Klaus's arm, forcing the watching household staff to recoil from the fence.
Klaus Von Vanderbilt
His blows are coming faster than the last exchange.
Augustus Schmellenmeier
Guard yourself! I will not dull my edge because the household is watching.
Augustus surges forward behind a brutal overhead strike. The practice blade bites into Klaus's guard with enough force to jar both men, while a groom cries out and steps toward the yard gate.
For one breath, Augustus's balance opens and the next exchange hangs between friendship, pride, and a blow that could become more than practice.
✓ Quest Accepted
Preserve trust with Augustus through the bout
“"Your sword is sharp as ever Augustus, and your tongue as well, what you think is caution is merely patience, and patience is a heavenly virtue." *I keep clashing my practice blade with Augustus, using the opening in his strike to catch him off balance and knock him over.*”
SUCCESS (Superb Melee Weapons, rolled +0)
Klaus Von Vanderbilt
Your sword is sharp as ever, Augustus, and your tongue as well. What you think is caution is merely patience, and patience is a heavenly virtue.
Klaus meets the descending blade with a hard clash, then turns his wrists and steps into the opened line. His shoulder drives across Augustus's balance, and the red-surcoated knight crashes onto the packed earth.
The victory costs Klaus a sharp scrape along his armored forearm and leaves his sword arm trembling from the effort. Dust jumps around Augustus's fallen plate.
Augustus Schmellenmeier
Patience, is it? You hid a hammer beneath that sermon.
The Household Staff recoil from the sudden fall, then settle as Augustus's sword lies harmlessly beside him. The groom at the gate lowers his raised hand.
Augustus Schmellenmeier
Help me up, old friend. I concede the exchange, though I reserve the right to dispute your theology.
Augustus extends one gauntleted hand from the dust, grinning despite the bruising impact. Around them, the yard's tension breaks into relieved murmurs.
Quest Complete
Preserve trust with Augustus through the bout
“*I take his hand, helping him up.* "You are as amazing as ever old friend, I am glad you came over to practice, it was a brilliant idea. Perhaps someday we can finally quest together."”
SUCCESS (Great Strength, rolled +2)
Klaus grips Augustus's gauntleted hand and hauls him upright in one clean pull. Dust slips from the red surcoat as Augustus regains his feet, steady and smiling.
Klaus Von Vanderbilt
You are as amazing as ever, old friend. I am glad you came over to practice; it was a brilliant idea. Perhaps someday we can finally quest together.
Augustus Schmellenmeier
Still generous after putting me in the dirt. Yes, Klaus, I would gladly quest beside you.
Augustus retrieves his practice sword and rests it across one shoulder. The last murmurs around the yard fade, leaving only hoofbeats beyond the gate and the rasp of settling armor.
Augustus Schmellenmeier
There is an old imperial road south, beyond the forest passes. I have heard pilgrims speak of a ruined chapel there, and of a relic hidden beneath it.
Augustus Schmellenmeier
If your piety can survive my company, and my theology can survive yours, we should learn what truth lies under those stones.
His grin turns conspiratorial, the old challenge returning beneath the bruises. He lowers the practice blade and waits, clearly inviting Klaus to decide whether this friendship may become an expedition.
✓ Quest Accepted
Uncover the truth of the rumored relic.
“"I will always be glad to journey with you, let us journey then, and if this relic has power let us share it. No forest folk will scare me out of some fun."”
SUCCESS (Good Agility, rolled +1)