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

The name Alette the Shark didn't ring any bells for Fleuri.  Truth be told, he hadn't paid any attention to mercenary companies since the War of the Red Flag ended.  Fortunately, the other knights in the group were not nearly as ignorant of such matters.  Gerard, particularly, seemed to ease up at the mention of Alette, and if anyone here knew whether or not whether a soldier of fortune was the real deal, it'd be him.  Fleuri couldn't yet be sure if the girl's story was to be believed, but he'd give her the benefit of a doubt for now.

[i]I have to admit, her story makes more sense than this unexplained "come here and help the fort" message that the now-deceased messenger had sent.[/i]  Many of the knights had suspected something was amiss before they got here, and this mercenary's story- that the fort's occupants had been killed and replaced by imposters- would explain the suspicious circumstances of the message.

With tensions eased up a bit, Fleuri dismounted so he could help investigate things more closely.  The first thing he did was pick up his lance, drive it into the ground like a massive stake, and tie his horse to it as an impromptu hitching post.  It wouldn't stop the powerful charger from pulling free if it was sufficiently motivated, but Fleuri just needed it to not wander off while they investigated the fort.  By the time he was ready, however, Gerard had already made a key discovery.  The corpses- including the one whom they had witnessed Alette kill- bore the mark of mercenaries whom Gerard recognized.  [i]His word is good enough for me.  If Gerard thinks Alette is telling the truth, I believe her too.[/i]

With some of the knights investigating the corpses lying about the courtyard, and others interrogating Alette, Fleuri decided to heed the mercenary girl's suggestion and head inside.  According to her, things were even worse inside, and it was where they'd find answers to what was really going on.  Fleuri also figured it was where the rest of Alette's group would be found, and if so, it might be worth asking them about this mess.

"Captain, I'll head inside and see what I can find," he announced.  Fleuri took off his helmet and stepped into the interior of the fort, mentally preparing himself whatever gruesome scene awaited him within.

[@VitaVitaAR]