[color=A0A0A0][h2]Fleuri Jodeau[/h2][/color]

[i]It is quite an interesting assortment of scoundrels that these conspirators have assembled.  That big guy looks like a northerner,[/i] Fleuri noted as he made his way past the fallen mercenaries that his fellow knights had no doubt slain.  It was to his relief that none of the knights were among the fallen.  As unlikely as that would be, it was always something he worried about, especially after what happened in the fight against Jeremiah.

It was no surprise to Fleuri that there were human bones lying around, some of which appeared recently broken.  If they had a vampire in their ranks, if they blackmailed a Nem to commit regicide, they certainly wouldn't be above desecrating the dead to do their dirty work.  He did not see any corpse with the trappings he'd expect for a necromancer, so whoever committed this abhorrent act was probably further down.  It was unclear if the other Iron Roses had killed him already, but the thundering sounds coming from further down made it clear that the fight was still going on.

It sounds like they're fighting a mage, the knight thought to himself.  The prospect of fighting a mage or witch caused Fleuri to take a moment to fiddle with the crossbow, ensuring the string was drawn back.  He knew the basics of operating a crossbow, but he wasn't much of a marksman, and even in the close quarters of the mausoleum interior, he'd have difficulty hitting someone with the weapons.

Due to the time he took to ensure the crossbow was in working order, Fleuri arrived at the scene of the battle after Tyaethe and Jarde.  There appeared to be three foes; a white-haired woman (possibly a witch), a masked, cloaked figure whom Fleuri presumed was a necromancer, and...Fleuri wasn't sure what the last thing was.  It appeared to be some sort of opaque slime creature, with metal and bones sticking out of it.  Of the other knights, Gerard and Maritza were engaging the white-haired woman, Tyaethe was going after the masked foe, and Fanilly and Jarde were dealing with the slime creature.  Not far from the knight-captain was the knights' Nem ally.

The Reonite knight rushed to where Tili was, wary of the slime-like being that was currently attacking the knight-captain.  "I've got something for you, Tili, courtesy of the recently re-departed Damon Cal," he proclaimed, handing over the crossbow and quarrels.  "Think of it as repayment for him and his friends getting your old crossbow destroyed."  With his hands now freed, he closed his visor and drew his sword, ready to commit to the fight.

The witch seems to have her hands full with Gerard and Martiza.  Jarde and the captain are handling the slime.  That leaves the necromancer, Fleuri decided, now noticing that Tyaethe was withdrawing from him.  This perplexing action on the Immortal Paladin's part made more sense when Fleuri got a better look and realized that Tyaethe had a Nem girl with her.

[i]With the hostage freed, there's no worry about holding back,[/i] Fleuri concluded as he weaved around the reach of the slime creature and charged directly towards the masked figure, sword raised.  He wasn't going to give this malefactor any chance to retaliate upon Tyaethe or the hostage.  There was no war cry or taunt, just a wordless intent to kill.

[i]By Ron, this foul necromancer will not live to defile another corpse![/i]

[@VitaVitaAR]