Dragonstone 41

**Chapter 41**

Gudrun is predictably upset that Samurai Chick wants her personal sex slave, and says she can't have him. Specifically, she plans to burn him alive tomorrow. Why? I guess just because she's crazy. Samurai Chick insists, noting that Gudrun gave her word before all her vassals, as she casually creeps up the dais toward Gudrun's throne. Gudrun calls on Stahl - yes, Stahl can surely save you from the woman who just humiliated him *twice* - but Egil blocks Stahl's path, axe in hand.

Why was he allowed to keep his axe, again? He's been nothing but the announcer.

At this dramatically appropriate moment, the doors burst open to reveal JarlBaronDuke Steiger and two other men, one of whom looks like Stahl, and the other of whom is the Duke of Rache, the brother of the man Egil killed. I guess Steiger recognized the murderous raider who killed his liege lord's brother less than a month ago.

Oops.

Duke Rache goes for Egil as Gudrun commands whoever is handy to *"kill them all!"* going on to specifically point out Egil, Arin, Alos, and *"this yellow woman."* \~/ Samurai Chick hacks off Gudrun's hand to free Delon. As Gudrun faints, *"the golden warrior"* \~/ throws a *"shiruken"* into Steiger's throat, killing him. She throws a second at *"the back of the neck of the door warden, who had turned and was running for the door."* So now she's cutting down people who are trying to flee? Lovely. \~/

Arin produces a concealed knife. Duke Rache says *"Get her!"* indicating Samurai Chick, while he goes for Egil. Egil shatters his sword blade, and since the Duke is stupid enough to lunge bare-handed at an axeman, Egil kills him.

Stahl goes for *"the golden warrior"* \~/ but is killed in a single sentence. Another man, inexplicably armed with a rapier, attacks Samurai Chick, but Delon strangles him with his chain. *"The golden warrior"* \~/ declares that she's taking her prize, and then she and the others have a quick conference at the foot of the dais.

In the middle of a crowded throne room.

Don't these people have *any guards at all?* \~/

Egil says that they still have to get the peacock, because he doesn't have the brains of a turnip, and Samurai Chick indicates Delon, and . . . yeah. Delon says he can get them out, since he knows the signals, though one would assume all the screaming and shouting from the crowded great hall would have drawn someone's attention.

Our Heroes collect Steiger, Stahl, and Duke Rache's cloaks, and Delon claims Stahl's sword and bugle as well. They find Alos, who is passed out drunk - man, he works fast - and haul him along as well. Very conveniently, Steiger, Rache, and their nameless companion left their three horses and three remounts just outside the door, so Our Heroes mount up and ride. Delon blows a particular horn call, and the guards open the main gate and the portcullis as they approach.

But oh no! The portcullis starts to drop, since I guess someone got word to the guards operating it. Our Heroes make it through, but the last horse is pinned and horribly killed. Was that really necessary?

Alos, pukes, and we get some unnecessary description. \~/ Our Heroes make it to the docks, release the horses, climb aboard the *Brise,* and away they sail into the teeth of a storm.

Drinks: 7

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