[color=goldenrod]"I don't like it, Sir Jodeau. It doesn't make sense to me at all."[/color] Gerard said, offering a respectful nod in greeting to the more tenured knight and fellow Reon devotee as he rode up to his side. [color=goldenrod]"The braggart claims himself 'King of Bandits' and has openly challenged a knightly order with what seems to be full intent to bring us down upon his head."[/color]

His words, honest and straightforward, were accompanied by a grimace as he took in the concerns of Sir Renar, a knight he had spent long hours in the Training Grounds alongside. The man's character was one somewhat like his own from what he could tell— a tireless engine of self-refinement, driven by some all-encompassing goal. Gerard hadn't felt it right of him to pry further, but he considered the man's word worth respecting on ethic alone. He was willing, more than most, to color in gray areas of thought. It lead to insights few dared make otherwise.

Perhaps, then, his mercenary background had given him such an image among his fellows.

Well, best not to let Sir Jodeau down.

[color=goldenrod]"Bandits aren't bold people. They're opportunists. Creatures of pragmatism that prey upon safe targets, and they either crumble beneath a decent group of the King's soldiers, or know how to pick their battles. They ought to be cutting and running the moment they pulled off that defense, not literally [i]inviting[/i] retribution. Even if we were to ride straight in without regard for casualties, we would certainly crush him just with the difference of troop quality alone. There are too many good knights here for us to not draw out a victory in a simple contest of strength. If he can hole up in that camp well enough, [i]smartly[/i] enough, to turn back a full force of trained militia or men-at-arms, he knows full well the kind of fight he has courted."[/color]

He met the older Reonite's eyes for a moment. Here was a man who had been raised practically wreathed within their Goddess's light, trained by Her Paladins in combat against the evils of necromancy and educated by Her Priestesses in all manner of subjects. The type of Knight who, despite few personal glories, Gerard saw as exemplary— And he, just as the others, seemed to be at something of a loss.

That man of action.

[color=goldenrod]"Unless they've grown more brazen in half a year, no bandit I know of does this without being quite sure he can handle us. For my money, he has something up his sleeve. I cannot say what it might be, but I can say I agree it to be worth planning for once we know. On that note—" [/color]

He rose a hand as he turned again to face the front, and spoke clearly and loudly for the first time in response to Captain Fanilly's stated request.

[color=goldenrod]"Knight-Captain, I would volunteer for that job. It'd for once prove fortunate that I am not so completely armored as many of us here— less metal to catch the evening sun and less noise altogether."[/color] he explained, allowing himself a small and self-effacing smirk. [color=goldenrod]"I grew up near a forest much like this one, as well. The terrain can't be too dissimilar."[/color]

[@VitaVitaAR][@Crimson Paladin]