first a group of musicians enter and begin playing jolly music.
Then John Smith (with Sneakerpuss) and Plixican (with Jinx) appear from two separate Arena entrances.
The music changes to a slightly alarming tone as Sneakerpuss begins to ‘stalk’ Jinx. However the Crow is apparently oblivious to the Cat.
The melody reaches a crescendo as Sneakerpuss leaps to ‘attack’ Jinx - who casually flies away to greet some children in the audience.
The music changes back to the jolly tune - and the act continues for a while, before both Magic Users step forward and are reunited with their Familiars.
This brings the audience to their feet in a standing ovation. (Apparently there are lots of animal lovers in the crowd!)
Sir Cuthbert is delighted and milks the moment like a true showman, before clearing the arena.
Next some Gladiators enter and give a demonstration of combat using nets, wooden weapons and wooden shields.
Whilst Crumlin congratulates his party on their success in using their skills, Dale discovers the reason for the disturbance during the parade.
Apparently some soldiers were objecting to the appearance of Johannes - and these men are wearing exactly the same armour (complete with the crest of a Helmet Plume.)
Jornilsson takes the objectors into a tent, which is promptly guarded by a ciouple of Gladiators.
However he soon emerges briefly and tells Dale to report to Mayor Crumlin that there could be trouble ahead with an Empire Patrol…
Jornilsson again emerges from the tent and whistles loudly.
Several nearby Gladiators promptly hurry over to him.
Seeing this, Sneakerpuss obeys John’s mental command and heads for the tent - passing Dale coming the other way.
Dale reports to Mayor Crumlin about possible trouble with an Empire Patrol.
Crumlin looks thoughtful and says “The Empire lies North of the Empire River and is a powerful Military Dictatorship. They look down upon all foreigners, claiming they are ‘inferior’.
It appears they are objecting to Johannes - whom Versifal and I know to be a Good man.
So don’t worry, Johannes, I will back you to the hilt.
But can you suggest why Empire soldiers could be upset with you?”
Sneakerpuss arrives quietly at the tent containing Jornilsson, other Gladiators and the Empire Patrol.
Sidling in, he finds a hidden vantage point beneath a table and listens carefully.
Thus John Smith is able to say that there are nine Empire Soldiers in the Patrol, with one obviously in command.
Through Sneakerpuss, John overhears the conversation…
Jornilsson “Decanus, as I said, this Arena is a peaceful place. And my Gladiators will keep it that way - no matter how much blood they have to shed!”
Decanus (obviously the Empire chap in command) speaks Common fluently, but with an accent.
“Even though I am only a Decanus, as the senior soldier present I speak for the Empire. And the Empire want that man who appeared in the Arena in Empire Armour.”
Jornilsson “We are not in Empire territory now. This land was bought by myself and a colleague and so we are in charge. Do you dispute that?”
Decanus “Although the Empire has not stretched out its gauntlet over this land, we have a saying - Might is Right!”
Jornilsson “An aggressive claim. There are only nine of you to enforce that saying…”
Decanus “True - but any Empire soldier is worth two ‘foreign’ soldiers. And as a Decanus, I clearly count as four.”
Jornilsson smiles “An interesting idea. I make it that your patrol is worth twenty of us.
Luckily I have a lot of employees…”
He whistles again and soon there are twenty Gladiators crowding into the tent.
Plixican loosens up, brandishing his staff which causes Jinx the crow to caw loudly and from his perch on top of the staff up onto the gnome’s shoulder.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be”, he squeaks.
Hmm, I do generally try to stay out of fights. The trouble is from the tent over there? Why don’t I sneak over to the side of the entrance and see if I can’t be of some more indirect use. I won’t be any good to this group at the front of a fight. Mayor, do you have good relations with the empire? Because it is likely you won’t for long. Hope that you are ok with that.
Crumlin thanks first Dorric, then John for warning him about potential trouble.
John tells Crumlin and the party “I remember some of the background.
The Empire Soldier said he was a Decanus. That means he is the leader of eight Empire Troopers. So he’d be like a Sergeant in charge of eight Privates.
Also the Empire think they are better than every other country - so that explains the Decanus boasting that he and his men are much better fighters than Jornilsson and his Gladiators.
Finally the Empire encourages its troops to fight (giving them live combat experience) when given almost any sort of ‘provocation’ - but I don’t know what has set them off…”
Crumlin smiles at John reassuringly. “Very helpful. And not to worry, because I’ve seen Jornilsson in action - on his own he’s almost as good in combat as the entire Patrol! With just a couple of Gladiators to help him, the Patrol would stand no chance.”
Dorric pipes up “Even from here, I can see that the Gladiators entering the tent are striding in, looking assured of victory!”
Crumlin nods “Well spotted. Nevertheless we don’t want bodies being carried out through the crowds here. That sort of thing only happens in the Gladiator Combat Arena.”
He points at a second Arena, behind the one used for the Circus.
“The Gladiator Combat Arena is for fights to the death. Only adults are allowed to watch - and there’s a steep price for tickets. Stay with me, gentlemen. There may be an unexpected twist here - but I am responsible for assembling you together and I will look after you.”
Johannes turns to address Crumlin and the rest of the party and says:
“My lord Mayor, may I suggest something? I’d like to avoid putting anyone in harm’s way for my sake, so if there’s even a remote possibility of my calming the situation by talking to the Decanus, I’d like to try that, with your permission.”
He turns to address the entire party.
“In truth, my friends, this trouble is all my fault. I was once a soldier of the Empire like them, but deserted when it became all too clear that it was an evil place lead by evil men.”
He shakes his head at the memory
“That credo of theirs – “Might is Right” – it is the very essence of all they believe in and all they stand for. There is no place for justice or compassion within the Empire’s borders, but I couldn’t live like that or be a part of it, so I fled here to find something nobler to devote my sword-arm to, and I fear that it was my desertion that has caused them to act so aggressively. Mayhap Heimdall will allow me to make them see reason, my lord mayor, if you will allow me to try.”
Plixican sends Jinx aloft.
The Crow first flies high, then comes down to look over the Arena area.
Plixican reports “Jinx says he may not have the eyesight of an eagle, but the land around is wilderness with little cover.
There is no sign of any Empire Soldiers approaching this area. Just a steady flow of families, merchants and peasants all moving calmly. There are no Empire Soldiers nearby. So it’s just the nine of them in the tent.”
Mayor Crumlin thanks Johannes for his noble speech.
“Versifal knew what he was doing, first when he took you into his Keep and then when he recommended you to me.”
Crumlin pauses for thought, then continues.
“Johannes, I accept your chivalrous offer to speak to the Decanus.
However I fear it will not be successful.
Remember that, although you did the right thing in leaving, a military dictatorship fears both individual thought and conscience. We must prepare for the worst. Everything suggests that these Empire Soldiers will simply follow their motto that ‘Might is Right’ and threaten to use force.”
He looks around the adventurers.
“I had not intended such a severe test as your first combat - but are you ready to defend yourselves if necessary?
Bear in mind that these Empire Soldiers are just as inexperienced as you - except for the Decanus and I have a plan to deal with him!”
I’m not afraid to fight if I must, my Lord Mayor. My sword and shield will make them see the error of their ways, even if my words do not. In other words, if my speech don’t sway ‘em, my sword’ll slay ‘em!
I’ll do it alone if I must, but I’d gladly have your blade at my side as well Quentin, and thank you for it. I didn’t remove my brains when I donned this armour!
Crumlin thanks the group for sticking together and explains his plan.
“We’ll go to the tent - where I trust Jornilsson to keep order.
Johannes, you start by explaining to the Decanus why you left the Empire. Use the noble words you addressed to us all just now.
If that works, then fine.
If not, then I will take up Dorric’s offer to negotiate with them next. I know he is good at selling - why not a compromise!
And if that doesn’t work, I have a contingency…”
Crumlin leads the party to the tent where the Empire patrol are glowering at Jornilsson and his Gladiators.
The Empire Patrol is standing to attention at one end of the tent, separated from Crumlin’s party by the Gladiators.
Jornilsson nods at Crumlin and says “By my sword, there will be no bloodshed in this tent.
Now there is a demand from the Empire representative for Johannes to be handed over. He will speak to that himself.”
Johannes steps forward.
But before he can say a word, the Decanus blurts out “We do not listen to deserters!”
The entire patrol click their feet and turn their backs on the Paladin in unison.
Crumlin shrugs and signals for Johannes to step back (consoling him with a pat on the shoulder.)
Dorric gets a nod from Crumlin and advances. “I am Dorric the Scout - will you listen to me?”
Without turning around, the Decanus interrupts “The only thing we want is the body of the deserter. We demand satisfaction in ritual combat - to the death!”
Jornilsson shrugs.
“Ritual combat to the death, you say? Well that’s precisely why we have the Gladiator Arena.
Now we have a set of rules to make these combats worth watching - so I need to ask both sides some questions.
Firstly: Crumlin, does your party accept the challenge?”
Crumlin nods grimly.
“There is no obvious alternative.”
The Decanus turns round. “On behalf of the Empire, we stand ready.”
Jornilsson continues. “How many on each side? Remember that there must be a fair balance.”
Crumlin winks at his party. “Well, here are but six recently trained fellows - with no combat experience. Is it not well-known that the Decanus is worth four such men?”
Jornilsson smothers a grin. “Yes, I have heard that this very day! Oh, and an Empire Soldier is worth two ordinary adventurers as well…”
The Decanus stands to attention. “Certainly your information is correct. Therefore the Empire will only need to take in myself and one Soldier. And when your ‘foreign’ six lie dead upon the ground, the crowd will have witnessed the Might of the Empire!”
He turns to his troops and points at one of them. “You will have the honour of fighting with me.The rest of you will simply stand ready to escort us back to Freeport, where we will proclaim the latest victory of the Empire.”
Jornilsson says gravely “Then the challenge has been issued and accepted. There is much to do, so we will commence battle early tomorrow. I will explain the remaining rules in a moment, but please allow me to set things in motion.”
He sends a couple of Gladiators out of the tent with messages.
(Apparently there are lots of animal lovers in the crowd!)