A Tense Situation

"Lady Harriet! Are you alright?" Lord Richard calls out, using my proper name. He had been on the other side of the bar, looking for Teran based on the description I'd given him earlier, when the uproar began. He forces his way through the gathering crowd, scanning them warily. He hasn't drawn his sword yet, but his hand rests nervously on the hilt.

"So this is him then?" Richard asks. I nod. "We have much to discuss, Mr... Teran, was it? Teran narrows his eyes.

"Look, lets get out of here first, then we can talk." I say. I have an ulterior motive, though; nearly everyone in the bar is still ogling me. My right hand is clutching the slit in my skirt, trying to hold it together. I look back for my robe, but wherever it caught is obscured by the crowd. It sounded like it had torn badly, and might not be wearable anyway.

The man who was molesting me steps forward again, He speaks to Teran but glares directly at me. "Trying to rob me of my fun, mate?" Teran growls, anger flashing over his face, but it is Lord Richard who steps forward.

"I'll lop the ears off the next man to touch this lady!" he warns the crowd, drawing angry jeers and taunts. "I suggest you let us pass." He draws his sword halfway in a threateaning gesture.

"And I suggest you stay out of my business, old man!" the man shouts back. He's not a large man, but has a wiry-looking toughness about him. Several other men, presumably cohorts of the molester, are shifting position, encircling us.

1. "ENOUGH!" Teran thunders, slamming his fist down so hard onto a nearby table that it cracks. Seeing Teran's rage, the man and his allies wisely back down, and we exit the tavern quickly.
2. A man emerges from the crowd and hits Lord Richard with a heavy pewter tankard and he slumps to the floor. Teran levels the attacker with a punch, several men attack him, and a barroom brawl erupts, with men jumping in on both sides.

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree