The narrow streets of Nottingham (open)

[Morgan]

Morgan slowed his horse to a walk as they passed through the main gate and into Nottingham itself. The place hadn't changed much, although it had been many years since he'd last been there. Taking the thoroughfare to the main market, Morgan's eyes continued to sweep left to right as he took in everything. The noise, colour and smell of the place was not as exotic as Jerusalem, but it was interesting in its own way.

Up ahead, a wagon had overturned, spilling its produce onto the cobbles. The wagoner and a stall holder were arguing loudly but, as Pilgrim's hooves clattered on the stones, they looked up and, seeing a travel worn Knight, moved their argument to one side to let Morgan pass.

As he drew level, Morgan nodded to them, then turned his attention towards the market. Pilgrim arched his neck and trotted slowly into the open area. From his advantage on horseback, Morgan saw the sign of the Inn and with the lightest of touches on his horse's reins, the animal turned in that direction.

The pot boy ran out as Morgan stopped at the Inn's door. Dismounting, he passed Pilgrim's reins to the lad. "See he's watered and rubbed down well. Then give him some oats." Morgan instructed, then ducking his head, he entered the shadowy Inn.

[Lady Rosetta Court]

Rosetta was arguing with the Princes gaurd. "What if I dont want to marry that monster?" she asked. "You have no choice My Lady it was your father's will." said the gaurd. Rosetta already knew this. She drew her sword and ran it through the gaurds stomach.

[Sister Magdalene]

Sister Magdalene had been bartering at one of the stalls, only vaguely aware of an argument developing behind her. She ignored it, however, as rows often broke out in the market place. But as soon as she heard a high pitched scream, the Sister turned just in time to see one of the Sheriff's men falling to the ground, blood pouring from a wound in his stomach with Lady Rosetta Court standing over him. Ignoring her shopping, Mags pushed her way through the crowd that had started to surround the injured man and fell to her knees at his side.

The guard looked up at her with frightened eyes. He tried to speak, but only a gurgling noise came from his throat as he started to cough up bright red blood. The wound in his stomach emitted darker blood, which was more worrying. Magdalene tried to staunch the flow with her hands, but it quickly stained her hands. Looking around for a cloth to make a pad with, Magdalene called to the bystanders, asking for their help. The townsfolk rallied and soon Magdalene had all that she needed. Folding a clean cloth, the Sister pressed it against the wound and placed the guard's own hand over it to keep the pressure on it. There wasn't much that Magdalene could do here in the street, if only she were at the Infirmary then she would have all manner of herbs and medicines at her disposal.

The guard, he was only a young man, grabbed Magdalene's arm with his other hand. "I'm frightened, Sister," he whispered, spitting out blood which stained the Nun's robes. Mags smiled sadly. "If you're honest and true, then you have nothing to worry about, my Child. The Lord God will gather you to him in Heaven. Repent any sins and be accepted into His good grace."

She picked up a wooden beaker of water and held it to the young man's lips. He took a tentative sip but was crying so much that most of it drained out of his mouth. "It hurts! Make the pain go away!" he cried. Magdalene shushed him, gathering him into her arms and rocking him like a baby. Experience told her that he would not recover from such injuries. "Soon all the pain will be gone." She whispered to him, as she continued to comfort him.

Magdalene knew the instant that the young guard had passed away. His body became still and his head lolled against her shoulder. Tears flowed down the Nun's cheeks as she closed her eyes in prayer for the dead man's soul. Then, very gently, Mags lowered his body back to the ground and stood up stiffly. Looking down on the unfortunate soul, she quickly crossed herself. Someone had already thought to fetch a handcart and, together, a handful of men gathered up the dead man's body and wheeled the cart back to the Castle.

Magdalene looked around the crowd until she found the face she wanted. "How could you?" she shouted, "He was only doing his job. That poor boy was someone's son, someone's brother, probably someone's husband and a father. Do you think about anyone other than yourself? What about those he's left behind? How are they going to survive and cope with no money? But it doesn't matter, does it? As long as you get what you want." Magdalene's chest was heaving with emotion as she spat out the words, venting her anger and grief at the nearest target. "His blood will always be on your hands, you murderess!"




(ooc: disclaimer - Just remember, this isn't a personal attack, its RP!)

[Roe]

Tuck had only just arrived back in Nottingham, back from Sherwood Forest. His original idea was to head back to the Infirmary at the Priory, and see if he could offer some assistance to Sister Magdalene. Before he could get to the Priory, however, he found there to be a disturbance in the midst of Nottingham, centered on Sister Mags, a fallen guard, and a grinning Lady Rosetta. He found Mags screaming at her. "Calm yourself Mags, your breath and best intentions of humans such as her, and I use the term loosely, are a waste. Most times the only thing that makes an impression on them is cold, hard steel. I think you should head back to the Priory while we see whether she is foolish enough to take on one of my blades," and he gracefully drew out his longsword, and awaited her next move.

[Sister Magdalene]

Tears ran down Magdalene's cheeks as she drew herself up to her full height and noble bearing. She dashed the tears away with the back of her hand then rested it on Tuck's arm. "You're right, Tuck, its pointless wasting anymore energy on this Lady." the Nun replied. "Put your sword away, my friend. Your honour and integrity is worth more than being drawn into a common brawl. I fear you and I have been misled by something evil and cloying. Come, if you insist I return to the Priory House, then I insist that you accompany me." She leant in close to her Reverend friend. "I fear I need the strength of your arm. I feel too weak to walk that far on my own!"

"Young Lady," The good Sister turned to address Rosetta. "You have done an evil thing this day. May God have mercy on your soul."

[Morgan]

Having entered the Inn earlier, Morgan had met the Landlord and requested a flagon of the finest ale and some broth to eat. His food arrived in a wooden bowl with a good trencher of bread and cheese. Ripping off a hunk of bread, Morgan dipped it into the broth then ate quickly with his head down. As he mopped up the last of the gravy, he realised that there was a commotion going on outside the Inn.

Rising to his feet, Morgan flung a couple of coins on the table to pay for his victuals. Taking the last of the loaf and stuffing the wedge of cheese into his saddle bag for later, he walked to the door and looked out to see what was causing so much interest in the Market square.

Of all the things he'd expected, seeing a nun and a friar confronting Lady Rosetta had not been one of them. Morgan leant against the doorframe and assessed the situation. Around him, he could hear folk talking and he caught snatches of their conversations. It seemed his companion from earlier had caused quite a stir. Bemused, Morgan bit off another piece of bread and chewed slowly as he debated whether or not to get involved. Then, as the Sister seemed to try to convince the Friar to walk away, Morgan decided that was a good idea. He didn't want to become embroiled in any trouble before he'd even settled in. With a shrug of his shoulders, the knight turned and went in search of his horse. It was time to go home to Clun.

[Tuck]

"Sister Mags .... you give her way to much credit by referring to her as a 'Lady'. After taking a few significant steps toward Rosetta, he stopped and considered Sister Mags words. "Yes, although I think by removing such as she from the face the living world I think would be a great service to mankind, she is unworthy of that effort, even from me. I will follow your advice today, Mags, but if she should make the mistake to cross my path again, I would not be so forgiving.

Very well .... Mags .... if you desire my assistance I will be happy to .... and it will give us a chance to talk about some things that I have been thinking about." He re-sheathed his sword, took her by the arm, and began to walk her back in the direction of the Priory. As they walked away he saw what looked to be a nobleman who had taken an interest in the potential conflict. Tuck thought that was fortunate, and also quite interesting. He imagined that they might see more of him in the future so it would be best to remember him. He wondered whose side he was llikely to be on .... the Sheriff's or the people.