Real Mulligan [Crownkiller Mulligan]

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The Last Knight of Tiles, Part 1
Perspective: Edward "The Comedian" Gallows

Gallows is given a task, recruit the knight who's stirring up the crown in this town.

 

You proved yourself an asset really quickly, picking up the mannerisms of the local people and adapting to your new setting quick. 

With time and effort, you and Styx became someone The Starman could rely on, whether it be raiding the crown's supplies or chasing off potential land grabs 

They started to bring you everywhere when given the chance, something that had the old guard both impressed and speculating. You were *the* guy, which meant the most difficult responsibilities were placed on you. 

This... wasn't always ideal but it was shelter, home, something that gave you a new purpose. 

Today The Starman had called you to meet with them in a bar, always promising. 

Fact that they were sober was forboding, because that's usually a sign you're about to be asked for a big favor.

The Starman: You the snake or the rabbit right now?

Here it comes..

Gallows: Rabbit obviously, Snake would be 4 drinks in and begging you to let him spoon you by now..

The Starman: That's why I was hoping it's you today.

Your boss points you toward a woman in a worn knight's uniform. Short, insect-like in appearance, white hair and a dress with a plated armor skirt of design rare in this region. It does catch the eye in a artsy way. 

The Starman: Need you to check in on her.

Gallows: She seems like she'd rather be left alone right now..

The Starman: On the contrary, think she needs a friend. She's been on the run, in some trouble with the crown just as we are. Think she has some promise. 

Gallows: Sounds like you've been keeping tabs..

The Starman: A little bit. Good fighter, hogs the bounty boards a good amount. 

Gallows: She's living off that kind of change, aye? 

The Starman: She's picky from what I understand, clearly operating on a vendetta. See her outfit's mark?

You take a good look, a diamond....

The Starman: Guild was burned down 6 months ago, might be the last of her knight family. Want you to put on a little charm, see if she'd be willing to find a new home. 

Gallows: Hole in her heart.. 

The Starman: You understand the task then, yes? 

Gallows: It feels a little dirty... you can't offer her a roof and meal and call that a fix. 

The Starman: Mm.. which is why I want you to ask her. Think you've got a better shot. 

Gallows: Boss-

The Starman: I don't have time to argue right now unfortunately. 

They stand up, grabbing their cane to make their way toward the backroom of the pub. 

Gallows: Hey, no-

The Starman: Gotta talk to the owner about upping security here, Crown has been really trying to find a in when it comes to what few places to wind down the folks have in our part of town. Surely you understand? 

Gallows: I do but-

The Starman: I'm on a timer, talk to you soon. 

You're left hanging. You take a look over to the knight again. Muscles relaxed, something a little more upfront-

She turned her eyes toward you, expression tired but not particularly strong otherwise. Hard to gauge. 

You gave her a wave. 

Gallows: Mind if we talk? Proposition for you-

Tiles: Who's your employer?  

She just asked you flat out, there's usually a bit of code to this.

Gallows: ... that depends, I don't have much love for the grand cavalry. Yourself? 

Tiles: None.. you're a member of a local resistance then.

Gallows: Little less aloud but... suppose the place is secure enough on the interior. 

Her eyes turn toward your tail and then back to you. 

Tiles: I'm the Last of Tiles, guild's name is my cross to carry. 

Gallows: Ah... sorry to hear. 

Tiles: And you? Your accent tells me you're from overseas.

Gallows: Refugee.. Paradiso Civil War. Go by Gallows.  

That seems to ease her somewhat. 

Tiles: Ah... suppose we share a understanding of conflict then. Perhaps you'll make for nice conversation too.

Gallows: Mmhmm. And a offer if you're still interested.

Tiles: Mm... I take you're just the delivery boy though. 

Gallows: Yeah? What makes you say that? 

Tiles: Don't get the sense you've got money, hard to ruin a business as a immigrant with the crown's bile going around, and you're too sweet to be a mob boss. Maybe a charming enforcer but certainly not the head of the beast. 

Gallows: Enforcer is a strong word-

Tiles: You kill people? 

Gallows: Nobody under a deal with us, no. 

Tiles: You offer protection for services? Smuggle goods? Work under the table?

Gallows: Not in the same way-

Tiles: Enforcer. Though... you do reflect well on whoever holds your card. 

Gallows: It's why they keep me around.. you know of The Starman by chance? 

Tiles: Mm... they're on the bounty boards in less secure spots. Take it the king has little love for them. 

Gallows: Absolutely nothing positive to say. 

The bug knight gives you a nod. 

Tiles: Does make me a good bit more interested... are they with you right now? 

Gallows: Busy in the middle of a appointment, didn't quite catch its full nature but-

Tiles: Bring them along and I'll be more than willing to look at their contracts. 

Gallows: Yeah, easy enough..

She took a moment to really get a better look at you.

She tilted her head, mark of a diamond on your left coat's shoulder. 

Tiles: What's that patch of yours? 

Gallows: Me? 

Tiles: Mmhmm... 

Gallows: Something personal.. what's got you asking? 

She gestures over to her own mark, and her tome. 

Tiles: You.. have any history with guilds? 

You shook your head. 

Gallows: Nah... this marks me as a different kind of practitioner. 

You snap your fingers, little diamond patterns appearing in your palm held in place. 

Tiles: The magic between realms.. wild in nature. Not really used to seeing that around here, every specialist was rounded up by the crown long ago... 

Gallows: Yeah, heard about that... 

Tiles: How'd you manage to keep that hidden when reaching the local ports? They tend to sniff that out quite easily among new residents during customs.

Gallows: Skipped.

Tiles:... Really? They tend to shoot down every ferry that tries to avoid them.. maybe if you were running flags or-

Gallows: I showed up in a raft by myself, can't detect something that small in the night so easy. 

Tiles:... You're a very silly person. But I do respect it.. though I once again worry about a gang with enforcers who speak so loosely and look so... soft. 

Gallows: I mean that comes with being a rabbit. 

Tiles: Mm.. one with a bite? Or just lucky and a trained tongue? 

Gallows: Maybe a little bite, enough to get by." 

Tiles pressed a finger up to your chest. 

Tiles: As a practioner of executioner's magic, I've got the concept of karma on my side. One violence turned against them with every strike. If I give you just a flick I'll know if you've really drawn blood with weapon before. Do you accept?

Gallows: Spooky.. Just a flick?

Tiles: Mmhmm... 

Gallows: Alright, how bad-

With a touch you crumpled to the floor like a ragdoll, eyes watching the knight's face in shock.

It took a moment for you to return to your senses, light feeling just a little too harsh. 

Tiles: Are you okay? 

Gallows; Maybe...

Tiles: I must've cast too strong... the force of that should be proportionate, even the average soldier at most finds themselves hit with a shove at most... 

Gallows: Maybe I'm just a little bit more than the average soldier. 

Tiles: Maybe... 

Gallows: You ever been hit by your own trick before? 

Tiles: Before the guild burned down, as a reminder that every fight has consequences. Felt like being bumped in a crowd.. I think today I'd be knocked to the ground.. 

Gallows: Been fighting then. 

Tiles: Constantly. I wouldn't be surprised if I have a proper bounty by now.. 

Gallows: Perhaps. Maybe one day it'll be big enough that you could turn yourself in and pay your own bail. Biggest menace the crown's ever known.

That does get a smile out of her. 

Tiles: I think I'd rather just burn down the prison and the carriage they used to get me there. 

Gallows: Suppose that's fine too, do the world a service. 

Tiles offers you a seat across from her.

Gallows: Mm?

Tiles: Allow me to offer you a drink and a appetizer.. it's been long since I've had a conversation like this. 

Gallows:... Alright. Lemme split the bill though, doubt your pockets are full like that. 

Tiles: As if yours are either.. 

Gallows: Got me there.