[h2]Helbronn[/h2] It was imperative for each knight to have a lady; a knight without lady was akin to a body without soul. To whom would he dedicate his conquests? What visions would sustain him when he sallied forth to do battle with evil and giants? Thus to every knight his lady, that he alone might name. To each a secret hiding place where he could find his haunting face to light his secret flame. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [h3]In a verdant village[/h3] [b]For the Lady.[/b] The foe was ascertained, steel-gaze rigidly affixed on the wooden skin, frame silent and still. An iron claw opened, sharp fingers flexing to emit a series of clicks, before the entire gargantuan body was forced into rapid motion, charging as thunderous steps rocked the street and elicited gasps from the puzzled passersby. A little girl looking up at the willow began to doubt her request. Steel talons ripped into the bark with dull crunch, the tree's crown shaking wildly as the behemoth tore his way upwards, armored hands forcing hold when none could be found, a shower of leaves and wooden splinters sent flying as the knight vanished in the labyrinth of twigs, a series of breaking bark betraying his unwavering advance. With another final crunch the figure emerged near the top, the armored form crouched on a thin branch that one would have thought to be unable to hold the steel-clad giant's weight. A mewling intoned, pathetic and frightened, followed by a futile hiss. The silent gaze lowered itself, coming to rest upon the small feline creature. Slowly, deliberately, the knight climbed and clawed his way across the branch, coming to a halt just before the small beast, which now seemed to contemplate if risking the fall might be safer. Slowly the armored frame crouched further down, claws ripping into the lumber, poised like a predator ready to pounce, neck stretching as the helmeted visage inspected the furry creature on an even level. The cat hissed, recoiling even further, inching ever closer to the edge. A claw was ripped from the wood and sped forth, iron hold clasping firmly around the feline beast's neck, ignoring the attempts of futile resistance. Without emitting another sound, the knight released his grip from the branch, momentarily falling freely before impacting on the earth with the free claw ripping into the muddy ground to absorb the landing. Standing up, Helbronn quietly strode over to the girl, handing over the kitten, alive and intact. The child could only clutch her pet tightly to her chest as she stared up at the armored giant with hesitant wonder on her face, bits and pieces of bark and leaves still clinging to the knight's plates. "[b]It is done, milady.[/b]" A harsh voice emanated from the helmet, gaining a metallic grating through the faceplate "[b]Farewell.[/b]" Giving a bow, the knight struck a perfect ninety degree turn, walking off with an even gait. Fortunate, that... Having barely entered this township under the watchful gaze of suspicious guards, with vocal remindings that any attempts at disturbing the good folk would be met with swift justice, already Helbronn encountered a needy soul, staring up at one of the trees specifcially grown for their aesthetics to enrich the street. The owners of these feline creatures that appeared to spontaneousely lose their capability for calculating proper heights seemed to be the sort that derived pleasure from pain... The knight halted. Tilting his helmeted head, he displayed a motion similar to one trying to listen to the wind, as if hearing something from a far distance. Abruptly his gaze set itself on an inn slightly further off, before his torso aligned itself with the direction. Taking off towards the source, the knight pursued a call no one else could hear.