[center][color=#008b8b][h2]Fionn MacKerracher[/h2][/color][/center]
[hr][@VitaVitaAR][@VahkiDane][@ERode][@Psyker Landshark][@PigeonOfAstora][@Crimson Paladin][@Raineh Daze][@HereComesTheSnow][@Rune_Alchemist][@Creative Chaos]
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Fionn's confusion over the cake was interrupted almost instantly by Lein coming to his side once again. [color=#008b8b]"Oh, bother,"[/color] he muttered, thinking about having to re-tie the Hundi's laces [i]again,[/i] before his fellow knight's conspiratorial whisper reached his ear. His brow furrowed immediately, one hand reaching down for the sword at his belt, the other pulling Maletha in closer. [color=#008b8b][i]"Why would I—"[/i][/color]

His gaze, scanning over the ball, snapped back to one small figure they'd slid over moments before with nearly no recognition. Past the other princess and those surrounding her just ahead, the glint of light coming off the tip of the assassin's weapon caught his full attention faster than he could even complete his reply to his comrade. Even Jeremiah hadn't been able to render him speechless so quickly.

No mercenary who had survived even a single battle came out of it without a healthy respect—if not fear—for the capabilities of a crossbow.

Longbows were bad enough, and anybody well-trained with one could fill the air with arrows at an astonishing rate; at close range, with a heavy enough bow, an arrow could even penetrate a helmet or dent a well-made breastplate. At their most useful, however, they were used to soften up formations, take out unarmoured infantry and the like, and they could be countered by another force of archers. What crossbows lacked in sheer rate of fire, in usefulness in pitched, open battle, they made up for in ease of use and [i]surprise.[/i]

Any farmer, even without any useful experience, could be trained to use a crossbow with decent accuracy in a matter of hours. One who was at-all dedicated to their craft could prove as accurate as many master archers within weeks. Moreover, one could be held at the ready nearly indefinitely. This made them fantastic implements for picking out higher-value targets, for manning defenses during a siege, and [i]especially[/i] in an ambush.

Fionn had personally seen some of those he used to fight alongside have the necessity for proper scouting, situational awareness, and just general readiness drilled into their heads far more literally than was ever needed for himself—all due to advance skirmishers armed with crossbows.

"Stop her! Stop her now!"

The hand that had been creeping towards the hilt of his sword struck out suddenly, shoving Lein roughly off to the side. In the same movement he dove off to the other side, wrapping Maletha up with his other arm and turning so that he was covering her should the bolt miss Elisandre and come in their direction. The unmistakable [i]snap[/i] of the weapon followed as soon as the pair hit the floor, and he was already on his feet rushing towards the heir apparent, Maletha still wrapped in one arm, as the captain and Sir Adeforth started bellowing orders over the din of the frightened nobles. Veilena's oversized knight, Renar, Vier, and Sergio all peeled off in an instant in pursuit of the diminutive assassin; the roar and following heavy footfalls behind him made it clear that Gerard was doing similar.

Serenity's words went unheeded as he was already rapidly approaching; Tyaethe's met with a single nod, although he didn't move to comply with her command, either. [color=#008b8b]"Captain!"[/color] Fionn barked, to get Fanilly's attention his way as he set Maletha down near Tyaethe, drawing his blade and nodding in the direction of the dais and beyond, where the rest of the keep and the royal residences could be reached from. [color=#008b8b]"If [i]one[/i] assassin could make it past all of our watch here in the great hall, there could be more throughout. With your leave, the four of us—"[/color]

Meaning Fleuri, Lein, and Serenity, the only others who hadn't yet taken off to bar an exit or intercept the assassin.

[color=#008b8b]"—will join the Crown Knights to make sure the path is clear for the three of you to evacuate the princesses back to the royal apartments."[/color] A better place for them by far than in the middle of the hall, surrounded by five current knights and one former.