The Duke's Bride

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"How gracious," Harrod says wryly, not looking too concerned by Lance's rather heavy-handed way of taking the 'split advantage' for himself. He briefly considers cheating-- this rabbi is skill and experienced, but this is his domain and that means a great, great deal in magic-- but decides even the remote chance of being caught isn't worth the paltry cost of the equally remote chance of losing. "Confident of you to pass up a practice shot with a bow you've never touched before but that's the impatience of youth, I suppose."

With a brief nod, he steps forward to the line. In a single, fluid motion, he notches, draws and fires without seeming to bother aiming. A split second later, the oak shaft slams into the target a bare quarter inch from absolute dead center of the target. He makes a tssking sound as he moves away from the line. "I should carve out more time to practice, I'm growing rusty it seems."

[Lance Roidmet]

Lance steps up to the line. In that moment, he is all focus: his keen eyesight narrows, showing him nothing but his goal, nothing but the target. He takes a breath, raising the bow, bending it and slowly lowering the string back into place a few times until he understands the way it moves. Nothing around him exists, nothing but his hands, the bow, and the target. He lifts an arrow, nocks it, draws it back. He raises the bow until he can see the line it will fire, then adjusts slightly, his instincts warning him to hold still as a gust of wind picks up, then dies back down. Finally, at long last, he fires. 

His arrow hits the dead center of the target. 

[Hanza koshack]

"Well my friends it seems that duke run not has won." I say breezily

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

Blasted providence. It seems I will have to rework my plans and reactions to take the boy's 'luck' into account going forward. Vexing, to say the least. "So it seems indeed," Harrod replies after only a few seconds to temper his thoughts ad feelings on the matter. Shall an apology here by myself on Lord Amell's behalf suffice or will you wish to wait for himself to be available?"

[Lance Roidmet]

"I'll take it from his lips, but I'll take my maid back from your hands if you will."

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

Harrod's smile returns, cool and collected. "As agreed, your victory confirms that Miss Koshack's freedom. She is no longer a prisoner here, not wanted for any crime." He pauses, humming thoughtfully as if just considering something. "There is, however, the matter of her new employment for this household," he remarks as if merely an afterthought.. 

[Lance Roidmet]

"I'm sure she'll quit once I offer her old job back."

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"Perhaps, but the penalty for breach of contract is... significant."

[Lance Roidmet]

"I will simply have to outbid you." Lance smirks. 

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"I had not realized you God's equal, to provide her with a replacement soul," Harrod murmurs very softly.

[Hanza koshack]

"You are a strange man mr harod strange indeed. Still the challenge stand and the law stats that she is to be brought forth to make her own refusal so I think it best you make haste."

[Lance Roidmet]

"You have no idea what I'm capable of," says Lance, deadpan. 

[Judge Harrod Blacquin]

"Quite the contrary, I assure you," Harrod murmurs to Lance, utterly ignoring the rabbi. "I am very much aware of the capabilities of every Duke, Count and Baron ruling in all the lands surrounding Albany."

[Lance Roidmet]

"Bring the girl. If I have to get her myself I'll gut everyone I see on my way."

[Kira]

I smile as I appear in the bedroom of gamllen.
"Fear not! I am Kira messenger of Ashem! The Lord GOD! I come for to give you a warning! An army is coming to tear your kingdom to the ground as you have forsaken GOD! Your kingdom shall be raised to the ground unless you release the yadvashem now!" I call. My voice echoing off his walls. I look down on him and see he has died of fright. I click my toung and vanish to wait for the order to attack or stand down.