The servant girls tugged Camilla out of the room, her face made of stone as she was dragged out. Cyrdic felt for her, and he could understand that both she and the servants would have a very long night in turning her into a proper lady. Well, that isn't entirely accurate. She knew how to be a proper lady better than those born in wealth. She just chose the fierce life, which was one of the myriad of reasons why Cyrdic had fallen for her. That and her penchant for getting into trouble. It was a shame that all they saw was a pretty face. 

Still, as regretful as he was to her being left out. He admitted that the others might now speak unhindered with the lady out of the room. To them, war was the province of men. Cyrdic used to agree until he'd met Camilla. Melisende had already glided away, her eyes lingering on Beaumont as she exited. Cyrdic turned to the Knights who were now discussing matters of bedchambers, trying to see who had the honor of gaining the most valiant place amid the line of bedroom succession, or so Cyrdic thought sardonically. 

"Forgive me for interrupting." The Ostlander said amid their talks. Sir Beaumont was interrupted midsentence, and the Baron was happy to halt him, though he did give Cyrdic a look of speculation. He was not used to such manners either. Cyrdic gave another stiff bow. "I must seem a brute, I am not accustomed to your manners, my Lord." he said. At D'Epee's wave to continue, he did just that. "But what is this quest sir Beaumont has mentioned. One that sounds like you know personally?" 

The room was stone silent, and he briefly wondered if he had offended them greatly. He did his best not to reach for his weapon, closing his fists and facing the Baron squarely, ignoring the looks from Guy and Beaumont. Outside, lightning rumbled across the countryside, illuminating the inner chamber with the silhouettes of the imposing statues of elderly knights outside. The Baron gave a smile that was devoid of mirth. "The inner Castle of Chateau D'Epee is cursed by a presence that can only be destroyed with the sword." 

[hr] 

The expensive livery and the heraldry of this Sigmar forsaken place almost distracted Cyrdic from the clear martial quality of the impressive fortress. Despite the clear danger presented in even staying here, he had to admit he was intrigued at the quality of the architecture and the honor that must have led men to defend these walls. He stood now in the Long Gallery, having been to the rooms to see Camilla was not finished being tended to yet. He'd taken a bath as well, having a similar problem with the servant girls, those these women more oggled him than tended to him, particularly in the bath. He'd had to chase them out, almost. 

Now he stood in a vast corridor filled with paintings of heroism and piety, and busts of the most famous knights of the realm of Aquitaine. This place and these Knights reminded him of one of Camilla and his early adventures, when they were trapped in a fortification with insane Templars and beset outside by the forces of Chaos and a mad Dragon. He hoped history did not repeat itself.

A dancing flame at the end of the hall appeared in his peripheral vision, and when the Knight turned to enter the Gallery, he gasped at the sudden yellow in Cyrdic's eyes, for in a split second he looked more beast than man, with his jagged brown hair that raised at the thought of someone intruding. On second look, Cyrdic seemed a normal man once more. A muscled and powerful man who had clearly seen combat, but normal. 

The Ostlander recognized the Knight as Reynald. 

"Why do you not sleep?" Reynald asked, eyeing Cyrdic suspiciously. The Knight was resplendent in an orange red tabard that complimented his red mane and goatee. "My Lord." Cyrdic smiled at the fellow warrior. He might be too proper for Cyrdic's liking, but he seemed a decent sort. 

"My lady was not in the room, so I decided to give a bearing on the Castle." Cyrdic explained. "I hope my line of questioning did not offend earlier." 

"You did not offend. The discussion of a Quest is very delicate. Though truth be told, the Baron hires any adventurer who wishes to save his Castle for him." 

"Hire?" Cyrdic echoed. "What ails the Castle? He would not say." 

Reynald gave a smile. "And he will never say. It has been ten years since any has come back alive from the inner keeps. And fifteen since any have come back sane. The last being the Baron himself, and he will not say what he saw in those horrible halls." He explained, giving Cyrdic much to consider. "If you wish to join Beaumont's quest, I am sure the Baron would pay you if you succeed and he does not. But you have a lady to look after, it would not do to bring her into harm's way..." 

Cyrdic grinned ironically. If only the man knew. Even if she couldn't take care of herself, which she could, she would likely end up in trouble anyway. It was apart of her charm. 

When Cyrdic made it back to the room near dawn, he saw Camilla sitting on the chair in a huff, wearing a very bright and guady dress and looking as miserable as she ever had. He wouldn't tell her this, but red complimented her despite the ridiculous poofiness of the gown. Camilla muttered something in Tilean, and he had learned enough to understand its translation was "Not a word." He closed the door behind him, and had a cake on a plate for her. "I have news." he told her, and pulled up a chair to tell her of what he found out.
[@Penny]