Justice Is Unnecessarily Broody Today

[Oncaro]

Cartann City, Cartann, Adumar​

Cartann City was the largest, and most populous city on the planet of Adumar, and it certainly showed as much as millions of people bustled about within it. The majority of them were peasants and serfs who worked in the vast complex of underground mines that stretched for miles under the planet's surface, but there were also merchants, and freemen, and nobles wandering about. Some went to their places of work, others were seeking recreation, and still others were going to what looked to be a newly-built cathedral of some kind, and a small number were headed to the largest building in the city: The Imperial Palace.

The difficulty in maintaining such a large city-- at least for a planet with this population, never mind city-planets like Coruscant-- was that it was difficult for the city guard to effectively keep order at all times. Arguments were had, tensions would simmer, and fights would break out. And that wasn't even counting crime.

Crimes like the mugging that occurred outside the city's starport, wherein an elderly nobleman was accosted for anything valuable he had on him, and the culprit attempted to spirit himself away from justice by attempting to find a ship and stow away on it. Would anyone care enough to stop him before he reached a good enough ship?

@Sscorpiun @Dawnrider

 

[Sscorpiun]

His travels across the galaxy had led Sandor to Cartann, and its largest city no less. It had been many months since he had witnessed such a civilised and hierarchical society. It almost reminded him of his former House. But of course, no matter how civilised a population, there are always those who seek to prey on the vulnerable and unfortunate. A prime example of this presented itself to Sandor as he was in the starport, overseeing repairs on his 'borrowed' ship. An elderly man, wealthy and noble looking by his attire, was knocked to the ground no further than 5 metres from Sandor. The assailant was dressed in scruffy armour and held a rather antique blaster pistol in his left hand, aimed at the man on the ground. The collapsed nobleman handed over his money purse, begging to be left alone. With his prize in hand, the thief sprinted away from the scene towards the ships. "Stop that man!", the old man called out. Sandor grinned. Time to deliver some swift justice.

"Can I help you my friend?" He questioned the thief, blocking his path. "Get out the way mate or you'll get 'urt," spat the criminal, but then seemed to change his mind. "Actually, that ship behind ya, I'll be takin' it," he stated, pointing towards Sandor's ship.
"Oh, bad choice, friend..." chuckled the Icelle. The thief looked bemused. "Of ALL the ships here, you managed to single out mine," Sandor laughed heartily before punching the confused man directly in the throat. Gasping for air, the mugger dropped his weapon, fell to the floor, and clutched his neck. Sandor stamped on one of his wrists, opening the hand. He took the purse from it, unsheathed his sword, and directed the point right down at the ground. "When my father caught a thief, he used to take three of his fingers... I think I'll do the same," growled Sandor, as he raised his sword, perpendicular to the ground, ready to stab down on the hand. The thief screamed for mercy.

 

[Shax]

Volken had been up early in order to be at he spaceport, he had been overseeing the repairs of one of the Paladin's starfighters and he wanted to be punctual. It had been some time since he had been to Cartann, he had recently returned from Nar Shaddaa and was happy to be off of the moon. He had been in the area waiting for those he was supposed to oversee, and was leaning up against the aforementioned starfighter, content to watch the ships come and go. He enjoyed seeing the different peoples, and he was finding it easier to name the more exotic aliens as they passed through. There was a man who caught his eye, he wore almost all black and had furs covering his shoulders like a mane. Initially Volken payed no mind to him past the fashion choice, and for a while it was quiet, the ships came and went. He heard commotion coming from about sixty meters from where he stood, when Volken moved to see what was going on, sure enough, the man with the interesting fashion was about to plunge his sword into the hand of a screaming man.

Volken immediately moved into action, he extended his Vibro-Lance to its full height and ran thirty meters forward until he was exactly half way from where he started and where his target was. While running he gripped his lance with his right hand, and raised it above his shoulder as if to throw it. He stopped, quickly aimed with his left hand, and threw the large lance. He aimed for the clear air in between the swordsman's legs, and angled the spear so the tip would land in the ground next to the body of the man about the get maimed. While the lance flew he called out in an angry voice "Hey! The hell are you doing!" The lance landed with a soft thud, hopefully distracting the swordsman long enough for Volken to move closer. The thief, quick to capitalise on a misunderstanding, spoke up before the swordsman could get in a word "This man chased me down and is trying to steal my money! Now he is going to cut off my hand!" He spoke desperately, which added only served to further convince Volken of the swordsman's intent.

 

[Sscorpiun]

Sandor was interrupted by the untimely arrival of the Paladin. Of course, as a newcomer to the planet, Volken just looked like a man in fancy armour to Sandor. Moments before the thief's fingers were to be severed, the Paladin's lance buried itself in the ground right next to him, completely catching Sandor off guard. The warrior turned towards the direction of the warning attack to witness the armour-clad Paladin rushing towards the scene. The thief called out, accusing Sandor of being the criminal. Sighing angrily, the Icelle realised how his predicament must look. He also realised that Volken was quickly closing the remaining 30 metres, and decided to forget his prey. The mugger scurried off into the streets.

Sandor stood facing the oncoming Paladin, pulled his lance from the ground with his left hand, aimed quickly at his enemy's left shoulder, and threw it overarm with some, but not full, force. "Here, I believe this is yours!" He shouted as he tossed the weapon,

 

[Shax]

Volken watched the man retrieve his lance, and throw it towards him. It wasn't hard to get out of the way, but if Volken wasn't paying attention it would have easily struck him in the shoulder. The spear landed, headfirst in the ground, Volken retrieved it and held it with one hand. He looked back at the man in black, and turned to face him fully, his lance in his right hand was held in the middle of the shaft, as was standard for his use of the weapon. His helmet was off, he hadn't seen a reason to bring it with him when he came down to the spaceport, and he was now regretting that decision

He turned to the side, letting his left leg take the lead letting his body turn with it, he brought his lance up to the middle of his body and gripped it with two hands, his right, further down the shaft so as to give him more reach, and his left, closer to the middle so as to make sure the lance was stable. "That isn't an answer to my question, you were about to mangle that man, and I want to know why!" The two men were only a few steps from each other, and people were beginning to take notice and watch.

 

[Sscorpiun]

Sandor was slightly offput that the man had dodged the spear so easily, even though he knew it was a weak attack: it was a left handed throw. His opponent was back on even grounds with him. Oh well, the knight thought, now it was a fair and honourable fight.
"Well, I would have explained the whole situation to you nicely, but since you so rudely interrupted, I don't see a reason to bloody justify myself." Sandor was angry at Volken, and didn't care what he thought he'd done.

The lack of the Paladin's helm had not gone unnoticed to Sandor; already he was plotting ways to disable Volken by striking his head to render him unconscious. He took a combat stance, left foot ahead, back foot shoulder width apart, and a foot and a half behind. He raised his mighty metre-and-a-half greatsword to torso height, holding it slightly away from his body and angling the blade defensively towards his enemy. Sandor was prepared to parry or block most attacks the Padalin could attempt.
"Come on then, Mr Shiny-Armour, prove you're not just a pretty boy."

 

[Shax]

The commoners in the vicinity had most certainly taken notice, they had formed a large circle around the two men. The Adumari obsession with duelling outweighing the potential danger of a wayward swing. Volken readjusted his feet, trying to judge the distance between the two men and where to attack. The swordsman didn't appear to have any armour on, leaving plenty of potential targets on his body. Volken grimaced to himself, the mans casual attitude towards a fight and the potential maiming and slaying of an innocent man angered him greatly, not to mention the taunt the swordsman had just spoken.

Volken moved his hands at the same time he moved his body, he took a large step forward with his right leg, extending the reach of his strike, while simultaneously moving his right hand to the very end of his lance, and removing his left hand from the weapon entirely. He lunged forward with the weapon, striking at the furthest possible distance from his target, clear from a potential counter attack unless the man moves in towards Volken to strike. He aimed for outside of the mans dominant arm, hoping to draw first blood and weaken potential strikes in the future.

 

[Sscorpiun]

Volken did exactly as Sandor expected, which was probably his best possible move in that situation; using his weapon's strengths to his advantage. Sandor was prepared for such a lunge, and it required only a small arc of his greatsword to the right to deflect the blow that could have disabled his right arm.

It was true that Volken had notably more range than Sandor, but Hoarfrost was no small weapon. Moments after deflecting Volken's attack, Sandor took a half step forward to bring himself within striking distance, and made a quick swipe, horizontal to the ground from right to left, aiming for the chest area. If the attack hit, it would deal a some heavy damage to the Paladin's main body armour.

 

[Shax]

Volken had hoped this would be a quick fight, but the swordsman had enough skill to at least wield his large blade. Volken watched as the swordsman easily deflected his strike, before he moved in to counter attack. The crowd was getting into it, there were cheers from over enthusiastic spectators and the amount of people watching the two duel was getting larger.

Volken continued to use his weapon's reach as his main advantage in this fight, while the mans sword was certainly large, from Volken's knowledge one doesn't have much power at the very end of the sword. Taking this into consideration, he executed his actions. While the swordsman deflected his lance to the side, Volken quickly moved it with the point towards the mans imminently moving leg, hoping the man would be too distracted with his own attack to notice he was about to impale his leg on electrified Songsteel. His attention was split between trying to evade the incoming sword and moving his lance into an attack, and as a result was still struck with the sword, even as he belatedly back-stepped to try and avoid the blade.

 

[Sscorpiun]

What Volken did next deeply surprised Sandor. Not only was the follow up attack extremely brave, and risky, but it was carried out flawlessly. It did however, cost the Paladin a solid blow to his armour. As Sandor's sword struck, he attempted to bent his front knee inwards to avoid the lance but his forward momentum restricted his movement. The spearhead didn't directly impale his leg, but instead glanced off the side. Due to the lack of armour on that part of his body, the electrified lance took effect as it struck. Sandor gasped as the shock travelled through his body, causing him to let go of Hoarfrost at the end of its swing. The sword clattered to the ground metres away.

Both warriors attempted to recover from the attacks they had sustained; the Paladin taking a damaging and winding sword strike, and the knight receiving a rather shocking experience, leaving him on one knee. Weaponless, Sandor forced himself to stand again, drawing his dagger, Blackice, with his right hand, and equipping his left hand with his shield. He had greatly underestimated Mr Shiny-Armour, who could, in fact, fight very well.

 

[Oncaro]

It was at this moment that shouts were heard among the crowd, mostly of anger and surprise, as around twenty men, all uniformed and armed in a manner that made one think of guards, muscled their way through the crowd and took aim at both men with blasters. But it was the voice of a woman that rang out loudly, clearly, and filled with authority.

"STOP THIS MADNESS IN THE NAME OF YOUR EMPRESS!"

Sitting tall and poised atop a horse, flanked by guards and dressed in fine clothing, was a regal, beautiful woman with long red hair and piercing, intelligent green eyes, whom looked as if she were no stranger to combat herself, looking sharply between the two combatants with a stern expression. The crowd immediately began backing away slowly, giving the newcomers more room, and the woman on the horse spoke to Volken.

"Lord Volken of House Sandanar," the woman spoke clearly, seeming to recognize that his opponent was not a native to Adumar and likely saying this for his benefit, but also to drive a point home to the Paladin. "What is the meaning of this foolishness? I will not have such disruptions in my city!"

@Dawnrider @Sscorpiun

 

[Shax]

Volken attempted to roll with the sword as it struck his armour, going almost limp as the blade struck him so as to minimise the damage the weapon would deal. Regardless, the blow was winding, and it might have broken a few ribs, Volken struggled to stay on his feet, using his lance as something to steady himself, he quickly assessed the damage to his armour. He couldn't take another hit like that, if he hadn't had his armour he would have been almost cut to the spine. He looked around, and saw his lance had taken effect, as his opponent was in much the same shape as him, winded and unsteady. The Swordsman had lost his sword, and had pulled out a dagger in its place, Volken saw the large blade laying several feet away from the two men.

Volken was just regaining his stance when he heard commotion coming from the crowd. Men with blasters moved their way through the crowd and took aim at the two duellists, Volken recognised the soldiers armour before he heard the powerful voice ring through the clearing. He immediately obeyed the command the Empress shouted, and knelt before her with his head downcast, while he laid his lance down on the ground next to him.

The Empress addressed him, asking a question he himself had asked to the swordsman, though his had been phrased in anger. He replied formally, and spoke loudly so his words could be heard "Forgive me my liege, this man was about to maim one of your citizens and refused to explain himself when questioned. I took it upon myself to apprehend him." As he spoke he kept his eyes down and to the ground in front of him, knowing that the swordsman would probably have a conflicting and false story to tell.

 

[Sscorpiun]

Sandor was disadvantaged but confident. He had regained his posture, standing strong, and armed with his secondary weapons. His opponent was only just recovering. Just as Sandor was about to make the most of his open chance to strike, an uproar erupted to the side. The crowd rapidly dissipated, revealing the armoured men and their leader, or she at least seemed to be.

The 'leader' directly addressed Sandor's former opponent, who, to the knight's surprise, was on his knees with his head bowed. This was a courtesy Sandor knew all too well, considering his noble background. The Paladin responded, apologising and accusing Sandor of being the villain in the situation. Outraged, the Icelle sharply cut in to the conversation: "He speaks nonsense! I was just returning to an old man what was rightfully his, from the thief who stole it," he turned accusingly to Volken, "before your man took it upon himself to stop my delivery of justice..." he looked back to Helin uneasily, "my lady." He added the last part awkwardly, wanting to be respectful, but unsure of the correct way to address her.

Sandor felt very vulnerable. The group of armed men was rather unnerving; despite his shield, their blasters would have no problem cutting him down. He just hoped their leader was civilised enough not to kill him on the spot.

 

[Oncaro]

Lifting her chin a bit as she looked between the two imperiously, Empress Helin Tyris frowned in thought. Raising a hand, she silently ordered the men to stand down, and they obeyed without hesitation.

"It is not your right nor your responsibility to execute justice on this world," the Empress said to Sandor, gazing at him with those piercing green eyes. "Especially not in this city. That falls to the nobility. And especially myself. I am Helin of the House Tyris, empress of this star system and all whom live in it. I do not know you, and for all I know you are little more than a thief yourself. Why should I believe your words over his?"

She looked to Volken, who still knelt, and said simply: "Stand, Lord Volken. You have done your duty well. Guards, take this man to the holding cells in the Imperial Palace. We will question him later and find out the truth. But to do so in public will lead to an unnecessary spectacle."

One of the guards obeyed, moving toward Sandor and producing a pair of binders in order to restrain his hands, while moving to take his dagger as another guard picked up Hoarfrost.

@Dawnrider @Sscorpiun

 

[Sscorpiun]

Sandor was grateful that Helin had spared his life, but still didn't intend to spend the night in any cells. He'd been holding back on his secret for months around these parts so as to not draw attention, and to it save for dire situations. His predicament seemed direr than most recently, and he'd noticed one man pick up his sword, his only chance of escape, as another stepped forward to restrain him.

His plan was risky, but necessary. He let the one man affix the binders to his wrists, making the mistake of doing it at his front, as Sandor had hoped. He spoke directly to Helin: "I hope this man of yours doesn't have too bad a headache tomorrow, Lady Helin..." The man in front of Sandor seemed puzzled. Then Sandor swung both fists upwards, connecting squarely with the man's jaw and sending him sprawling. He then swiftly directed both hands to his sword, which was released from the grasp of the surprised guard as it sliced through the air, cut through Sandor's binders, and landed safely in his hands. "I'd rather not spend any time in holding cells today my lady," he announced smugly.

 

[Shax]

Volken stood, as his Empress addressed him. He was prideful that she thought he had done well, but the fight had ended in more injury to him than it had to the other man. He watched as the assigned soldiers move up to and disarm the Swordsman, they took away his dagger and his shield before they bound his hands in front of him, while another man retrieved his sword. It happened quickly, the Swordsman, who through his actions quickly identified himself as a force user, summoned his sword to him, while at the same time striking the soldier who bound him.

Volken reacted quickly, he gripped his lance with his right hand at the end of the shaft, and his left hand once again further forward. He assumed the stance he had taken at the beginning of the confrontation, and sprinted forward with as much speed as he could muster while the mans greatsword flew free from the soldiers hands. Volken ended up attempting to strike at the mans left thigh, and was just about to land the attack while the Swordsman was distracted gathering his weapon. He was silent as the swordsman looked smugly towards the Empress, which only served to anger Volken, steadying his hand for the blow.

 

[Oncaro]

Things seemed to be going well, until the man-- who was now definitely a criminal for resisting arrest-- surprised her guards by sucker-punching them and retrieving his sword through use of the Force, freeing himself and smugly declaring that he was unwilling to face justice despite thinking himself as an arbiter of justice.

And it was during this time that Lord Volken attempted to once more apprehend the man, while Helin lost patience.

"ENOUGH!" she bellowed firmly, and Volken crashed almost comically into an invisible wall inches away from Sandor. As he crumpled, Helin raised a hand from the reins of her horse, and with naught but a glare in her eyes directed at the troublemaker, she telekinetically ripped his sword from his grasp with enough force to make him stumble, gripping the hilt firmly and feeling the Force run through it. That was interesting, but it would be saved for later.

"I feel the need to reiterate just who and what I am," Helin said firmly. "I am Helin of the House Tyris, Empress of the Katorrs system, Peratrix of Cartann, Lady of Duskmote, and Grand Master of the Holy Order of the Paladins of Mortis. And I will be obeyed as such. Guards! Stun this criminal and take him to the holding cells!"

Immediately, the guards aimed their weapons, firing stun bolts at Sandor's form. Too many for him to block with his shield.


@Dawnrider @Sscorpiun

 

[Sscorpiun]

Sandor was disheartened to say the least as his trusty sword was ripped right out of his hands by another force user. To his extreme dismay, it was Helin. He knew how the next part went. He quickly tossed his shield like a frisbee to his left, aiming directly for Volken, who was just getting over walking into a 'wall' for the first time, specifically his face. A last act of personality and defiance in front of Helin. A split second later, the knight was on the receiving end of a volley of stun blasts. It was more than enough to make Sandor eat the dirt.

He woke up some time later, with a hangover-like headache, in a dark cell. He hoped it wasn't force proof, but he secretly knew that Helin wouldn't be so foolish as to leave that detail out.

 

[Shax]

The unexpected stop that had struck Volken hurt his pride. He knew the person who had stopped him needed to make a point about her own power, but he felt slighted. Only compounding on that initial feeling, was the sudden blow to the side of his head as the swordsman threw is shield at him. Volken knew people were watching, some were probably snickering, Volken simply got back up from where he had fallen, and watched as the swordsman was stunned into the next century. Volken shot a fleeting glare at the Empress, before forcing his expression back into neutrality. Unfortunately, he had never been adept at hiding his feelings in the force, leaving those who knew what to look for, an acute sense of anger and frustration coming from the Paladin.

Several hours later, Volken was making his way to the cell the swordsman was assigned. The prison was archaic, in drastic need of renovations and repair, but it did a good job at making one feel enclosed and caged. When he announced his presence to the warden of the facility, he had been alerted that the swordsman was beginning to wake up. Convenient timing was all it was. Volken was close to the cell, and slightly held the left side of his body were he had been struck. It had been determined that he had two broken ribs, but nothing life threatening, though it was still painful.

The cell was dark, making it impossible to see what the swordsman was doing. The two men were left alone, as per Volken's orders to the guards. Volken had his hands behind his back, and stood at his full height while he regarded the slowly moving, imprisoned form. "One would think the logical course of action in the situation we were in would be to explain oneself, but for some... inexplicable reason you decided to fight a lawful arrest." Volken let a smirk play at the sides of his mouth as he spoke, before continuing in a more professional tone "What is your name?"

 

[Sscorpiun]

Sandor was still slightly dizzy and unstable from the after effects of so many stun blasts. He barely noticed the visitor who approached his cell. It was still rather dark, and he could only just about make out the figure standing on the other side of the door. "Come back to gloat eh?" Sandor teased, though his voice was less confident and smug than before. Volken ignored him, and questioned him on his motives. Sandor couldn't be bothered to comment. He also ignored the sly smirk the man possessed. Then the Paladin asked his name; which Sandor could be bothered to offer.
"I am Lord Sandor of House Icelle, First of my name, Heir to the Former Throne of Whitekeep, Wielder of Hoarfrost..." at this point, Sandor's proud tone weakened, and his emotions began to betray him as he continued quietly, "Lone survivor of my bloodline and my people." He raised his chin to look at the man once again. "And you're Lord Volken, right? I'm not sure what weight that title carries around these parts, but I assume it's a sign of nobility of some respect."