[center][h2]Evelyn and Bartuc[/h2][/center]
[center][i]A colab with Zelosse[/i][/center]
[hr]
From afar it could be seen, like an encroaching sea of fire. The torches of five hundred men and women marched towards the lake which at one time was the famed city of Camelot. Leading the approach were two horse mounted riders; one a mountain of a man clad in foreign armor, the other a woman adorned in a tone as black as night with a thick veil covering all but her lips. As they reached the beginning of the bridge the outlanders halted their advance, awaiting a new order. 

"Have our people make camp near the bridge, hopefully our new allies appreciate our watch over the bridge", the woman spoke with an air of eerie calmness before dismounting her horse. As she examined the bridge and the castle ahead she could see the souls of all who once called this flooded crater home. Through her eyes she'd see an ethereal overlay of the city of Camelot, the citizens whose lives were cut short by this new king.

Bartuc nodded his understanding, offering a simple solute before turning his horse around to address the cultist soldiers brought along as escort. Evelyns safety was his number one priority so if securing the bridge from suspicious activity was her command then so be it. 

"You lot. Spread out, I want a dozen soldiers on either side with spears at the ready. If must needs, construct a temporary roadblock. The rest of the soldiers will stay with arrows at the ready. Unless they are one of the known knights you will show them away."

Orders given, Bartuc turned to Sunderland and made his way to her side again before she could go to the meeting alone and unguarded. Even here amidst supposed allies he had not an ounce of trust to give, all of those gathered here being murderers and usurpurs. Blood boiled in his veins at the anticipation of slaughtering the lot of them. 

All he needed was a nod from the Master.

"My Qu-" Catching himself before uttering of the ladies past. "Prophet. Please allow me the right to be at your side through the meeting. We cannot risk harm to you."

It was less of a request and more of a statement than anything. The fanaticism of her second in command was staggering even in the face of the religious cultists that had gathered to the mistresses banner. Every moment was dedicated to her commands, but if it meant her protection above everything else Bartuc was known to disobey. 

"You're quite welcome to, but I do not think this king would invite us here simply to kill me. Should that be the case, our army is close by and we have contingencies in place", Evelyn peered over the side of the bridge, just below the water's surface were the faces of the long dead staring back at her. Her lips displayed feelings of disappointment,  it was such a waste. "Besides, he assured me that we would be safe. For now at least", she said as she turned back to her loyal second before beginning the walk across the bridge.

Beyond the portcullis lay a rather barren courtyard, memories of a childhood spent training in a yard more lively than this were quickly erased from thought before the two entered the castle. Making their way into the dining hall, Evelyn took a moment to view those who had already arrived. To her surprise, two of the already present "knights" had already begun getting further acquainted. "Curious", the veiled mother thought as she made her way to an open seat. Making sure they were at a decent distance from the others, purely to ease Bartuc's mind, Evelyn began carefully pick from the assorted foods placed across the table before her. "Would you care to join me, Bartuc?", she asked right before trying a strange fruit she'd never seen before. "Oh you must try this, I've never tasted something quite like this on the islands" 

Bartuc shook his head politely. Removing his helmet would open up his face to a more precise attack and eating now would lower his guard. From the way his hand grasped the hilt of Furore on his hip his intentions were crystal clear. 

"No thank you, your holiness. I will take rest and food when you are safely returned to our encampment. For now, please make yourself comfortable and enjoy.

With a slight smirk to signal her understanding, Evelyn turned her attention towards the other members of the hall. The first two that she had laid eyes upon had concluded their...examination? Another clad in armor seemed to stare with an unliving stillness to him, perhaps one unlikely to carry conversation. Lastly she noticed a woman, silver of hair and dressed in a manner that would make many harbor lustful thoughts. It would be rude to c9nverse solely with her companion so the ashen beauty would have to suffice. "Have you ever been to Tyrvald? The local legends tell of silver haired women who are capable of blessing fields with a bountiful harvest. If you dabble in the arcane you'd have the people eating out of your hand"