// Just so this isn't confusing for anyone who wasn't there for the event, this is a real event of the server which took place in Three Portlands, everything said here actually happened to some degree.
// Just so this isn't confusing for anyone who wasn't there for the event, this is a real event of the server which took place in Three Portlands, everything said here actually happened to some degree.
The Curtains Raise
Upon a Table sit 2 Opposed Monarchs, their Councils, and the many knights of their realms. A peaceful Feast organized by the neutral Lady of Three Portlands, there is plenty of activity and joy to be had, as the entire city is attending, Outside The Father approaches one of the Merchants of the city selling their wares.
The Father - "Merchant, How much wouldst thou charge for one of those Dolls of yours, of my King and his Council?"
The Merchant - "My Friend, for these you'd need a purse quite heavy, Say, 50 Ducats at the least for each!"
The Father - "Nary a Bother, I'll take one of each!"
The Exchange is followed by a rapidly growing line of Knights, and Councillors which purchase Dolls of Themselves and Others, even the most solemn of Knights are quick to set aside some of their money.
Unnamed Knight 1 - "One More, of The King of Site-66!"
Unnamed Knight 2 - "Do you have one of The Queen of Chaos?"
The Father quickly leaves as the crowd grows.
End Scene
The Knights are gathered, Witnessing a miracle of "The Fool", He has created a machine which spins and goes up and down, A most Queer invention.
The Fool - "Come one and all! A Mechanism of my own creation most Queer! A Machine which Rotates in all directions, purely in the pursuit of joy and thrill!"
The Father and Unnamed Knight 3 approach, Curious of the Invention.
Unnamed Knight 3 - "Do you charge to experience this invention, Fool?"
The Fool - "Not Even a Farthing! I've already been paid by the Lady of Three Portlands!"
The Father approaches hesitantly, and with Unnamed Knight 3, they enjoy their time on the Ferris Wheel.
End Scene
The Father stumbles upon an interesting scene, The Lady, as well as a few of the Knights of The King of Site-66 have dressed the Royal Guard in the garb of Bards, putting them on stage where they look absurdly out of place. They play a merry tune as the Father watches on, but before they can play their big song, which has been in preperation all night, The Father is taken away elsewhere. Soon he stumbles upon The Lady of Three Portlands yelling at a Knight of both Armies.
The Lady - "Explain to me where you have put the money, I am no fool, and you are carrying a Pouch larger than one would possibly need!"
Unnamed Chaos Knight 1 - "This is Absurd, of what do you accuse me of, Robbing the Treasury of the City of Three Portlands!? These accusations are Naught but falsehood and speculation!"
The Lady - "I can see the Ducats pouring from the bag with the emblem of Three Portlands you Jabbering Oaf! And do not think you've gotten away with this either Knight of Site-66, I will find where you hid the money, as all Gods as my Witness."
Robin Hood hides his fear, still pretending as though he has not stashed the Ducats in the Wagon of a Horse and Buggy he purchased with the very money he stole.
Robin Hood - "I wasn't even on the scene of the crime, I'm innocent!"
The Lady drags The Unnamed Chaos Knight away, tasking her Guards with searching for the lost money, One man looks in the Sewers, another in the Docks, and another in the Stables, none find the money.
END SCENE
The Royal Guards of Site-66 bring The Vanguard Knights of Site-66, Which include The Father to the Port, Questioning them to find who stole the money, Robin Hood included.
The Regent - "I Understand the Vanguard is formed of the foolish yet brave, but to be so Foolish and... Well... Moronic, is absurd even for you all, We have narrowed it down to you Five, As you are the only who's emblems bare Orange. It is better to tell me than for the King to learn it was one of you, so tell me, Where were you all upon the Banks Robbery?"
Robin Hood - "I was at the Fool's Mechanism, I had no hand in this!"
The Father - "I was watching the Royal Guards dressed as Bards and singing tunes, I had no part."
Unnamed Royal Guard - "The Father speaks true, He was Watching, He left shortly after he heard news of the Robbery."
The Shadow - "It surely could not have been me, as I was witnessing a Duel by your Side, Regent."
The Other two men had already been accounted for, Already in the middle of being punished for previous ill behavior, Leaving only Robin Hood as the man without an Alibi. For this, He was beaten with rods by the Royal Guard, and the Money Retrieved, or at least, most of the money.
END SCENE
The Party begins dying down, Some go to church to pray for their sins during the party, others seek more entertainment and Drink, The Father walks past the Marshal on his way to the river, The Marshal looks concerned, He rushes by speeding for the King but only through hushed tones is the reason heard.
Member of the Crowd - "That Chaos Fool has spoken the Name of the Emperor!"
Member of the Crowd 2 - "He did not! Did he?"
Member of the Crowd 3 - "Yes, I even heard it was defaming, the foolish Rebel!"
Member of the Crowd 2 - "I'd better take my leave before-"
Upon the back of a White horse rides The Masquerade, His Armor Black, and his face obscured by a Cloak like the Reaper, He immediately draws a crowd who watch in terror as he looks around.
The Masquerade - "I see I cannot go anywhere without drawing a crowd, Unfortunate for thee, though how I do enjoy being the center of your attention."
The Silence is Deafening as he dismounts, whistling for his horse to leave the area. His armor is silent as he looks around, his vision obscured but his sight boring into the eyes of The Rebel.
The Masquerade - "Ah! There he is, Ye who spoke my master's name, Step Forward."
The Rebel - "Good Sir, I apologize, I did not know my actions would cause such a-"
The Masquerade raises a hand, Immediately silencing the Rebel.
The Masquerade - "It does not matter to me whether you knew the real risk or not. You named him, like a fool or a... Dissident. You will come with me to Alagadda"
The Lady eventually rushes onto the Scene, She seems desperate to avoid bloodshed.
The Lady - "Please, Sir, You must understand he did not intend harm, he had no idea he was summoning you or insulting your king, You must spare him! PLEASE!"
The Masquerade stares emptily into the eyes of the Lady, his Helmet revealing no emotion, though a feeling of Sadistic Joy spreads through the Audience.
The Masquerade - "Fine, I will not take such a precious individual, though I do need something of equal value to return home... Perhaps..."
The Masquerade stares at the Fool, who still stands atop his crate, though he has gone silent since the Arrival.
The Masquerade - "Come Here, Fool, I need something of you."
Shakily the Fool, once a Beacon of Joy and Whimsy steps down from his Crate, stepping slowly towards the Masquerade who simply waits patiently as the rest of the crowd stands stunned. Once within a few feet of the Masquerade, the Fool simply drops dead. The crowd starts to Panic as some flee deeper into the party or simply stare in shock.
The Lady - "NO!"
She drops to the floor holding the Fool, now completely motionless. She cries. The Masquerade simply whistles to his horse.
The Masquerade - "A Sacrifice was required, He'll Suffice. Just be glad your Precious Rebel lived, as you obviously placed his life above the Fools."
The Masquerade Mounts his steed, simply turning it and preparing to leave.
Unnamed Knight 1 - "That Bastard..."
The Masquerade stops, taking the breath from all as he does, he turns his steed around and dismounts once more.
The Masquerade - "You. Step Forward."
The Steed simply stands and waits for its master as he points at the poor Unnamed Knight, As the Knight steps forward accepting a horrible fate, The lady once more intervenes.
The Lady - "PLEASE, No more, No more deaths, Take me if it'll save him, Just no more, I can't handle a single one more!"
The Masquerade allows the moment to sink in fully before extending his hand, stopping the Unnamed Knight in his tracks, he turns to the Lady, He kneels down to her, and simply lays a hand on her shoulder, and before anybody realizes, The Lady is gone.
The Masquerade - "Before I take my leave, Just in case any of you decide to be so foolish again, I request that you point one of yourselves out to be the next Lamb for the slaughter.
The hands raise immediately, a dozen men all point at their rivals, at the enemy kings, or even at themselves, Though two are foolish enough to point at the Masquerade, The Father, and The Marhsal of the Knights of Chaos. In an Instant both men experience their fingers rotating into the shape of a Rose, Cracking into pieces, causing blood to seep from their gloved hands.
The Party ends, as no more is the joy present.
And Thus, The So-Called Hanged King... Cries and Wails
END SCENE
Curtains Fall