escordvi | open log 🐈 november stuff and things

[ Now how did this happen!? One moment, G'raha believes himself to be minding his own business and the next someone is slapping him in irons! Any complaints or demands to be told what the charge is fall on deaf ears. This Paladin doesn't care. Isn't paying attention.

And in the next second, all goes dark. A sack being thrown over his head and G'raha is attempting to count how many steps they are taking in his mind. The steps and the amount of turns. Anything to figure out where they are going.

He's shoved down and locked into place. Only then is everything obscuring his vision remove and G'raha realizes the situation that he's in. ]

Well. This is... Quite unfortunate.

[ Understatement of the year? ]

[ Xenk has heard rumors, of shady Paladins taking matters of justice into their own hands, and arresting those suspected of being Corsairs for the simple act of roaming their streets. Such persecution disgusts Xenk, who believes honor and duty are not something exclusive to those who follow the Paladin banner, so that's how he ends up exploring some of the darker parts of Elah, in hopes of catching that troublesome Paladin in the act.

He's not too late, though you can bet your ass that he doesn't hesitate to cast Command on the shady Paladin before he can even properly take in the scene. ]

Halt!

[ The Paladin freezes in place, completely frozen thanks to Xenk's spell. The stunning effect lasts long enough for him to dash up to the man and ignite his blade. ]

Stand down and release this man, or you shall find my blade does not miss.

[ Well! Someone certainly is coming to his rescue. G'raha knows there are quite a few good souls with the Paladin group, just like there are in the Corsairs. Though he would have thought that this would be questioned rather than being stopped altogether.

Not that he's complaining. Because now G'raha is trying to wiggle himself out. Untrimmed nails scratching at the wood holding him in place.

Now the Paladin in question doesn't look deterred.

"I don't need to explain myself to you when handling a criminal." ]

I want it on record, no one said anything about charges being brought against me.

[ Nothing good ever came from the gallows, in Xenk's experience. And G'raha's words only embolden Xenk -- if anyone's a stickler on procedure and protocol, it's him. ]

This man has been charged with no crime, and has seen no trial. The laws of Elah are not such that it is lawful to administer capital punishment without a trial and proof of offense.

[ Xenk brings his sword down, the holy blade cutting through the wood -- and freeing G'raha. All while avoiding injuring him. Magic! ]

Your actions are unlawful, and your methods are cruel. Submit yourself to judgement, or you will learn that Tyr's mercy does not extend to those who act in the name of false justice.

[ Well... He hadn't thought to see a blade go clean through the wood and leave him unharmed. That is more surprising to G'raha than the whole "someone coming to his defense."

Upon being freed, G'raha jumps up and darts to Xenk's side. His staff is missing. Confiscated by the Pladin in front of them both.

"My actions are unlawful? You would say that after freeing the Corsair scum that have infiltrated our buildings? Our excavation sites, plundering and stealing?" ]

I take offense to the plundering and stealing. [ Though not necessarily the infiltration. It was only to read! ] Just return to me my staff and no harm done.

[ Since he doesn't particularly want to create a scene. Doesn't want to draw attention here when it is likely better elsewhere. G'raha is confident in his own skill and he has little reason to doubt Xenk's.

The opposing Paladin doesn't seem shaken though.

"I will take the both of you in." ]

What crime has this man committed? Were you witness to them? Or do you act in prejudice against the Armada to which he had no choice but to ally with?

[ Xenk is likewise unmoved, certainly not by this rogue Paladin's threats. He knows he stands on the correct side of the law. And the Corsairs may do bad things sometimes, but that doesn't make them evil, dang. ]

You wield the law as a weapon, bending its words to justify your actions and punish those you deem unworthy.

[ Xenk raises his blade against the foul Paladin, his eyes taking on a golden glow. ]

I will sooner see you apprehended than allow your tirade to continue. Those who fight in the name of false justice cannot be allowed to stand. Paladin or no, you will find no mercy in my blade.

[ That's not totally true because Xenk is going to avoid killing this guy, but he can still injure him pretty bad! ]

[ Oh it is escalating. The Paladin in front of them, unshakable in his beliefs. How can they maintain order if they allow these Corsairs to run around, unchecked.

But is is also clear that the Paladin has no answer for an exact crime. "You are going to regret siding with this Corsair. The beast will stab you in the back when you least expect it." ]

Normally I would say to leave this man be and thus leave him to his own opinions. [ G'raha, at this point, has his ears back against his skull and his tail bristles in agitation. ] However, I do require my staff to return to my hands.

[ "You both are still new, I see. In time you'll come to understand, as I have, that the Corsairs are a treacherous, chaotic lot. So if he does anything, it will be your responsibility. Are you prepared for that?"

Looks like the Paladin is going to back down enough to not start a fight. Especially not since they seem to be getting the attention of people passing by... ]

[ Dion's clothing makes him look plenty official, and he should. He can see by his tail that the perpetrator in question is G'raha, and frankly he can't imagine anything he would've done to catch the ire of the guard.

He steps in front of them, holding himself in an assertive way, his shoulders back to make him appear as broad as possible. ]

State the charges under which you've captured this man. [ Dion says firmly. ]

[ Oh! Well that uniform would make anyone look official, correct? Though it is the voice that G'raha recognizes more than anything. He really feels bad, having to be rescued like this. For being a burden to another.

Now he doesn't call out to the other. Not quite yet.

Besides... The Paladin that has thrown G'raha in this position doesn't seem to be swayed.

"A Corsair is a Corsair. What other reason does anyone need?" ]

[ Dion is surely likely to get a reputation for being sympathetic to Corsairs, but frankly nearly everyone he knows is one and while he's certain they are up to various schemes that he is not a part of - plausible deniability - he also believes in justice and due process. ]

Sending a man to the gallows without proof of a crime makes you seem rather bloodthirsty does it not?

Without a crime, this is a hunt and a miscarriage of justice.

[ And G'raha doesn't necessarily find himself completely embracing the more criminal side of being a Corsair, but at the same time... he seems to have quite a few acquaintances within the Paladins.

He's not really surprised to see one come to the defense of another - but at the same time he's quite surprised to see anyone come to his defense.

Instead the rogue Paladin seems to draw their sword.

"It would be a miscarriage of justice to allow a Corsair to run freely, knowing full well it is only a matter of time before they commit to some illegal course of action." ]

I would not do that if I were you. [ Dion says in a warning tone. ]

Return your sword to your hip and unhand this Corsair. [ Certainly he knows G'raha, but admitting so isn't going to help in the moment. ]

Or I will make you regret your actions.

[ G'raha is somewhat alarmed. To think that Dion would go so far - ]

Now there's really no need for -

[ The Paladin tells him to shut up. Kicks the wooden frame that G'raha has been locked in. The Miqo'te huffs, glaring. Yet the person behind him makes no mind.

"You will make ME regret my actions? Are you so soft on these creatures that you would risk your reputation for one?" ]

[ He's not going to let this rogue paladin run unchecked and murder people for no reason, much less G'raha. He ignores his protests, because if it's to save his reputation? What reputation? ]

I would. If you cannot provide a reason to have this man captured then I will use my authority and release him.

[ Dion scoffs. ] I've suffered worse than a reputation hit. I believe in justice and so ought you.

[ Yeah, G'raha isn't thrilled with this situation either. Of course he doesn't like how Dion is being spoken down to either. So-

"We are justice. We are order. Allowing the Corsairs to run around unchecked is the complete opposite of this."

Still not giving Dion a specific reason. For there is none. So G'raha takes a breath and elects to cast a float spell upon the Paladin - not like he needs anything other than his hands to do it. And the result is immediate. The fool of a Paladin loses balance, unable to get themselves back to the ground. ]

Now, while they are distracted?

[ Dion hasn't even flinched while being insulted, and he was, but he's also very used to it. ]

If you would.

[ He places his hand on G'raha's back and leads the way. ]

Once we have privacy, I'll deal with your bindings, please bear with it a moment longer.

Thank you...

[ He is just going to allow himself to be taken by Dion. Lead the way out of this area while they still can, while the spell is in effect. ]

Understood. I can wait until then.

[ Though he would really like to turn around and lecture them all. But this Paladin could call for reinforcements. ]

[ He could, and probably will and Dion intends to be far enough away from him when that happens.

This is the best cover though, he slides his hand around G'raha's arm gently and escorts him away from the scene.

See? Just a Paladin arresting a Corsair, nothing to see here.

Once they are finally out of sight and tucked between some homes, he pulls out a knife to cut G'raha free of his bindings. ] Thank you for playing along for the moment, I am certain it was uncomfortable.

[ Once they're clear of everything - and G'raha does his best to look disgruntled as Dion continues to take the lead on this - He's already rubbing around areas of his wrist that had been exposed. ]

It is quite alright. It would be in poor taste to complain to the one who rescued me.

All the same, I'm certain it cannot have been comfortable.

[ He did the best he could, but that paladin definitely needs to be taken a peg down or two. ]

No, but that is hardly your fault. It is, in part, my own for not being on guard.

[ For letting them take him like that. ]

All the same, I am glad you're free now. Obviously I have no desire to detain you.

[ In some ways, he's the worst Paladin, he's so sympathetic to the Corsairs. ]

Not this time, at least. I suspect that might change in the future, depending.

[ Because he might... Get into legitimate trouble. ]

Well...try not get into too much trouble?

[ Dion asks with a chuckle. But he will wave and let G'raha go, even though he covered for him. Surely he'll take some flak for it, but it's fine.

He's not about punishing the innocent. ]

I am but one little Miqo'te. Surely I cannot get myself into too much trouble.

[ The trouble that he is talking of is actually just sneaking into the Archives and reading. ]

open log 🐈 november stuff and things

🪢Gallows Gambit

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