[centre][h1]Aulus Granus, 9th Baron Eskandar[/h1]
[h3]Lord of Castle Cramz[/h3]

[hider=Post Summary]Ian and Dilys, along with a few hundred Mazeltof knights, have withdrawn from the Kingdom of Orog to Castle Calchester in Humber territory
Aulus watches them enter
He is eventually persuaded to go him by the barkeeper, Sikak
When he gets there, he is pulled into a meeting with Hemala, Maerya, Dilys and Ian
It turns out that Orog has been over-run by Wulfrick and Greensworth forces led by Erock and Aureus.
Hemala suggests that they could hold out in Castle Calchester, but the Mazeltof siblings - as well as Maerya - support a complete withdrawal towards the Alliance's main force
Aulus embarrasses himself by not paying attention
Maerya is particularly harsh towards him, leading to an outburst
He declares that he will not be leaving with them
Though Hemala tries to persuade him to leave, he insists on staying in Calchester

The Imperial forces arrive two weeks later and enter Calchester
The town is placed on lockdown and one of the guys who frequents the tavern leads them to Aulus
Aulus makes his drunken, rooftop escape - to the castle itself!
Turns out there aren't that many Imperial soldiers around, and so he swiftly goes to his room where he takes his sword belt
Two soldiers storm into the room, and Aulus manages to take them out
Taking his bow and quiver, he escapes through a secret passageway
As he does so, our brave hero bravely says: 'Shit shit shit shit.'[/hider][/centre]

[sub][i]Castle Calchester, 503 A.R[/i][/sub]

The weary force of riders - coming at a few hundred - rode through the great gates of Castle Calchester. The steeds muddied and clearly worn out, their riders did not look to be in much better shape. They were met by a few Humber riders who ushered them through the streets towards the impregnable fortress at the centre of the sprawling castle-town.
'Who're they?' Aulus asked Harik, a blacksmith who frequented Aulus' favourite tavern.
'Mazeltof,' the blacksmith grunted.
'Who?' Aulus asked. The middle-aged man gave Aulus a sidelong glance.
'You pullin' my leg boy? I said they's Mazeltof. News of their retreat from Orog came weeks ago. We're next, tha's for sure.' Aulus nodded slowly.
'Orog...that's...err,' he thought for a few seconds, 'that's the castle right?' Pushing the boy aside with an irritated grunt, the blacksmith made his way back to his smithy - he had no time to be teaching little boys what any idiot could see on a map. He paused and turned back to Aulus.
'Boy, it'll be your likes that get it when the Imperials get 'ere. They say that Erock Greensworth and Aureus Wulfrick are leading that force here.'
'Who're they?' Aulus asked with a slight yawn.
'They's death boy, that's who. You don't wanna be here when they get here.' Nodding distractedly, Aulus turned away and fought his way through the crowds until he could slip into an empty alleyway and head off towards the tavern. It was still early in the afternoon, so Grun and the others wouldn't be there. But Sikak the barkeeper, who also owned the establishment, was always fun to tease - and his daughter Ani was sweet on the eyes!

'What's this, you ain't gone yet?' the large man asked when Aulus walked in.
'Gone?' the young man asked as he took a seat before him, 'where should I be going? Is something good happening?'
'Yeaah, somethin' good's happenin' for sure you nitwit - didn't you see them escapin' Mazeltofs? Dontcha know what happened to 'em?'
'Oh yeah, Harik told me. Something about death coming and some castle Orog and whatnot,' Aulus shrugged, 'what do I care for these things?' Sikak frowned and leaned in as he scrubbed at a cup.
'Look 'ere now Aulus, yer a smart lad. You know what'll happen if Calchester falls to the Imperials, dontcha?' Aulus frowned.
'Eh...Daeron comes out and gives them what's coming to them? There isn't anybody what can stand before him when he gets angry! And with Hemala swinging that mace around, by golly! Everything will be back to normal in a jiffy. You people worry about all this stuff too much - just relax. Where's Ani anyway?'
'Come now Aulus, get back home. I'll betcha things are topsy-turvy up there now. Yer sister's probably lookin' all over fer you,' Aulus frowned and nodded slightly - he clearly wasn't going to relax and leave him be. The older waved him off and Aulus reluctantly left. Maybe he should go back home and check to make sure everything was alright. Daeron had been gone a fair while, after all, and he had noticed Hemala increasingly worried state - not that she bothered to confide in him when it came to matters of importance. She knew well that Aulus had no knowledge or opinion on such matters - and that, in addition, he did not truly care much about them. 

The castle was alive with the neighing of horses and the low hum of men speaking in hushed tones. The retreat from Orog had clearly shaken the Mazeltof knights so much that even when they reached the safety of Calchester they could not quite bring themselves to speak up.
'My Lord!' Aulus turned at the familiar sound of Godric's voice, 'my lord! By the gods! Where [i]have[/i] you been?' the skinny, balding old man rushed towards Aulus and quickly drove him indoors. He took the young man by the arm and guided him into a dark room - only the orange light of the fire revealed the others standing within. Aulus immediately recognised Hemala and the head advisor, Lady Maerya Bernalys. Aulus looked at the two strangers - a man and a woman.
'Aulus, come, sit here,' Hemala gestured for him to take a seat. Confused, Aulus looked towards Godric who huffed in annoyance and gently - but firmly - pushed the young man into the seat. Aulus was simply confused - Hemala never invited him to any of these "meetings" and whatnot. Maybe things were not fine after all? 'This is Dilys Mazeltof, and this is her brother, Ian Mazeltof,' Hemala told Aulus, 'they have just retreated from the Kingdom of Orog, which has now been over-run by Wulfrick and Greensworth Imperial forces. It is almost certain that they will soon march on us.' Aulus pursed his lips and decided it was best that he maintain his silence, else his general ignorance would become manifest.
'That damned Erock has been doggedly pursuing us since the fall of Fishgrove. He-he...killed Godwyn,' it was the woman, Dilys, who spoke. In the low light, Aulus finally got a good look at the two of them. The woman was rather small and appeared delicate. Her green eyes and blond hair came together to give her a rather pleasing appearance overall. Her brother, Ian, was taller than her. Like her, he had a shock of blond hair and piercing green eyes which were lighter than Aulus' - but even Aulus could see that the man was stunningly beautiful. If there was not so much sadness in his eyes and face, Aulus would have taken him for the merry sort - just the kind of person he'd enjoy a night of drinking and brawling with.
'We thought we could hold off in Orog until help arrived, but our men broke on seeing how severely outnumbered we were - there must have been seventy-thousand Imperials, if not more. They'll be here soon. We must escape before it's too late.' It was Ian who spoke this time. Hemala shook her head.
'No, there must be a way. Castle Calchester is impregnable, we can hold out for years if we have to.' Ian and Dilys looked to each other doubtfully.
'Lady Humber, with all due respect, we were there at Fishgrove. We know what they are capable of. Unless you can summon forth an army of warriors and powerful mages to defend Calchester, then we stand no chance and will be dying here in vain. We have lost all our family to them, we cannot lose anymore.' Ian looked from Hemala to Maerya unstintingly, 'our only hope is to withdraw, unite with the rest of the Alliance's forces, and advance from there. Else we'll be picked off one by one and all will be lost.' Dilys was silent, but Maerya turned to Hemala said it without mincing words.
'We have no chance winning if we are besieged here. If they have mages, then Calchester will fall within days, if not hours.' Hemala's eyes widened at this and she frowned. Furrowing her brows she turned to Aulus.
'Aulus, what do you think? Do you agree with this running away business?' Aulus had slightly zoned out as they talked and quickly sat up when his name was mentioned.
'Wha- run away? Me? Never!' he said quickly, 'I mean, uh. Maybe, sometimes. If Grun is really angry.' Hemala frowned and Maerya gave Aulus a censorious look. He bit his lower lip and looked down in embarrassment, 'sorry...I...zoned out a bit.' Sighing, Hemala turned back to the others.
'Look, most of the Humber forces are with my father. However, if we send word out to our remaining strongholds - which will fall to the Imperial advance if left where they are - and have them come here, then we can make a stand and repel the Imperial forces. If we get reinforcements, we may even be able to push back into Orog and retake what has been lost.' Hemala looked at the other three who were clearly unconvined. She made to turn back to Aulus for support, but very swiftly changed her mind. He surprised her by speaking out anyway.
'Don't worry, I was listening this time, promise.' Hemala pursed her lips and looked pleadingly to Maerya for support. The woman shook her head.
'I'm sorry Hemala , the risk is too high. We should send word to them all and tell them to retreat towards the main force. Lord Humber wrote to us some time back about the severe losses they incurred. Perhaps if we withdraw to the main force we will not only strengthen it, but also ensure victory at the next battle. All will be for naught if the main force is lost.' Ian and Dilys made clear their agreement and Hemala slumped in defeat.
'Hey now, there must be some way to hold on to Calchester,' Aulus interjected, getting up. Ian and Dilys looked to one another and managed to withhold their smiles. The situation may have been miserable, but this bumbling fool was providing some much-needed entertainment.
'I think...' Maerya interrupted, 'we can do just fine without your input, [i]Lord[/i] Eskandar.' Aulus quickly nodded, shut his mouth, and sat back down. Ian just about stifled a laugh. Aulus shot him an affronted look, but said nothing. 'We will begin our preparations for a withdrawal immediately, then,' Maerya said. Hemala nodded reluctantly and the Mazeltof siblings smiled in approval.
'I'm not going anywhere,' came Aulus' voice. Maerya frowned.
'It's not up to you,' the older woman said firmly, 'it is in all of our interests to join the main force.'
'Don't care. Not going anywhere.' Aulus said, crossing his arms and looking away.
'Stop being a child!' Maerya snapped. Aulus looked at her angrily and stood up.
'Then stop treating me like one!' and with that, he stormed out of the room. Ian and Dilys looked to one another again, eyebrows raised. Maerya sighed and looked to Godric who bowed quickly and went after Aulus. Hemala could not help the small, satisfied smile on her face. Maybe there was yet some hope for her adoptive brother.

[centre][u][b]***[/b][/u][/centre]

The Imperials forces, led by Erock Greensworth, entered Castle Calchester some weeks later without raising a sword. It was nighttime when they entered and the castletown was swiftly placed on lockdown as Imperial forces searched the castle for any potential enemies of the king. Hemala and the others had escaped weeks before. But try though they did, none could convince Aulus to leave.
'Aulus, this is serious. If you stay the will kill you,' Hemala had told him. He had shrugged.
'This is my home, I'm not leaving.' She had looked away guiltily - she had never known Aulus to be so attached to the castle.
'If you leave now, at the very least you will live to return. Please, come with us Aulus. Father needs you by his side - he will be so happy if you took up the sword and fought with him.' But Aulus shook his head.
'It's not my fight, Hemala. I'm going to the tavern.' And he had turned away to leave. But she caught him by the arm and hugged him tightly.
'Please Aulus, stay alive,' he had withheld his tears.
'Yeah, you too...' and without another word she had turned away and departed. They had sent word to all the remaining Humber strongholds telling them to withdraw to the Alliance's main force. If they arrived in time, they may well provide Lord Humber and the others with the reinforcements they needed to be victorious in their next battle - or, failing that, to survive at the least.

For his part, Aulus had spent the majority of the previous few weeks either half drunk, watching people pack up and leave, or getting shouted at by old man Sakik for not leaving when he had the chance. And now the Imperial forces had arrived and escape was nigh impossible.
'Ye're a bloody idiot if ever I saw one!' Sakik hissed to him.
'Jus' gimme another drink damnit,' Aulus slurred.
'You know how many people who come 'ere will be more 'an 'appy to sell you to them for some coin? By the gods, they'll be at the door any minute! You need to get the bloody 'ell out!'
'Damnit old man, just shush and gimme anoth-'
The door of the tavern flew open and a bedraggled man stepped in.
'Tha's 'im!' he shouted, 'that's the Humber boy!'
'Shit!' Sakik hissed. 
Aulus turned with a dazed look. 'Where?' he asked incredulously.
'He means you, notwit!' Sakik shoved him with a finger, 'get away damnit!'
'Oh,' Aulus muttered, 'okay.' And as the soldiers struggled to stream into the crowded tavern, Aulus stumbled for the stairs and did his best to take them two at a time. At the top, Ani poked her head from one of the doors and gestured for him to come quickly. Aulus smiled drunkenly.
'Knew you wanted me,' he giggled before running towards her. She rolled her eyes and shoved him inside before the closing the door behind him. He banged against the door from the inside.
'Oi, what are you doin'?' he asked.
'Get going!' she hissed, 'they'll be up here any minute!'
'Oh, oh yeah, sorry.' Aulus turned around and ran to the window. Opening it, he leapt easily onto the roof just below the window and closed it behind him. Though the night was dark and he was drunk, he had made the same escape enough times to know where to put his feet. Clambering along the rooftops, he made his way back to the castle in the middle of the castletown. With soldiers everywhere, the only way to escape was through one of the secret passageways leading from the castle to the outside. Sneaking in through the open gate proved fairly easy - the Imperial soldiers appeared to have searched the place already, and finding no one, they had left a rather lax guard on the place.

Making swiftly for his room, Aulus grabbed his swordbelt and wrapped it around himself - checking his trusty rapier before tucking a knife in for good measure. Just as he was about to make his escape, he remembered the bow and quiver that Daeron had got him for his eighteenth birthday. Daeron had always insisted that Aulus join him on hunts and he had seen fit to gift his adoptive son with a fine composite bow and quiver. Aulus stepped back and scanned the room for them, and even as he did he could hear footsteps and voices.
'Yeah...saw someone...in...' Aulus swiftly made his way towards the door and hid beside it, slowly drawing his sword. The door flew open and two men charged in. They did not see Aulus who was now behind the door.
'Check under the bed,' one of them commanded. As he did so, Aulus allowed the door to swing shut and, before either realised his presence, his blade shot forward with lightning speed and precision through the man's neck. He grunted and fell to the ground as Aulus pulled the blade loose and prepared to take on the remaining soldier - who had already begun shouting to alert anyone within hearing distance. Scowling, Aulus leapt forward and brought his rapier to the man's neck.
'W-wait-' he managed before Aulus opened it up and blood streamed out. It took him a while to die, and Aulus did not wait around to see it. Wiping his blade on the bedsheets, he quickly took the bow and quiver and ran towards the fireplace. He was soon making a swift escape through the secret passageways of Castle Calchester.
'Shit shit shit shit,' he could be heard muttering.