Traitors

Wales struggles to rid himself of his grim expression, but forces a smile onto his face as he looks at his men in the room. "This letter changes nothing. We will continue to fight for our land and country! Those dishonourable rebels will pay for having my father killed, and it will be us to deliver them justice!" he exclaims, his charisma and fervour causing his men to grin excitedly.

It's because of this that Wardes finally decides to act, with everyone's attention on Wales, they wouldn't immediately react to their hostility. "Now." he whispers to Michael, but is confused when Michael doesn't immediately fry the prince with Ether Shock.

No, instead, Michael steps to the side and grabs the hilt of a guard's sword from its sheath, using hex to turn them into a chicken and allow him to easily take the weapon. Everyone in the room is shocked by this, not only because of the sudden attack, but also because Michael displayed his ability to cast wandlessly, something that should be impossible.

Michael doesn't kill Wales as he'd been instructed however, with the sword now in hand and his Gandalfr runes activates, he cuts down towards Wardes.

"WHAT-!?" he exclaims in shock as he raises his arm to block the strike, unable to dodge it in time.

*CHOP!*

Michael grins as he feels warm blood spatter against his face as he completely dismembers Wardes' right arm. His momentum couldn't carry the blade through the arm and into his head however, forcing him to go for another strike. "ENSLAVE ME WILL YOU!? DIE!" he roars as he swings again, all while casting Ether Shock to make sure he dies.

The Ether Shock strikes Wardes in the chest, but does nothing as one of his rings explode, most likely an artifact of protection... No matter! He'd just keep attacking until Wardes was mincemeat!... Unfortunately for him, Michael and Wardes weren't the only people in the room...

*THWOOOM!*

A heavy gust of wind collides with Michael's side and send him spinning into the cabin wall, he almost loses the weapon but manages to keep his grip on it. The promise of Wardes death was all the motivation he needed to keep moving. "WARDES IS A REBEL TRAITOR! SHOCK!" he shouts again, sending another Ether Shock at Wardes which is blocked by some sort of windshield.

Michael scowls at Wales as the prince readies his wand-sword for another spell, him being the one responsible for protecting Wardes. "Hex." he chants, trying to turn Wales into a chicken temporarily so he could get to Wardes... But his spell seems to have no effect at all on the prince, surprising Michael, but not stopping his charge regardless.

"I do not know if Sir Wardes is a traitor! But I demand you stop attacking him! I shall have you both interrogated to see the truth of this matter!" he commands as his men start interfering as well.

"DAMNDAMNDAMNDAMN!" Michael mutters as he glares at Wardes who is now receiving medical assistance... They wouldn't be able to reconnect his missing arm, but stopping him from bleeding out was simple. "Prince Wales! THIS MAN HAS HAD ME CAGED AND TORTURED FOR WEEKS! I DEMAND SATISFACTION!" he exclaims, his anger at Wardes clouding his rational mind.

Prince Wales shakes his head, "Be that as it may, we still need to identify the traitor. Wardes is in no state to flee! Surrender your weapon and allow us to investigate! I promise, if what you say is true, I will grant you the vengeance you seek!" he says, surprising everyone as the prince bows lightly towards Michael, something that royalty should never, ever do.

...

Michael seethes, but composes himself for a moment and glances around, noting the many guards wielding wands, blades, and muskets. Clearly, if he tried to attack now he'd be killed... Maybe he could use Shadow Dance? But that wouldn't guarantee Wardes' death... He shakes his head and drops the sword, "Wardes must die." he states while locking eyes with Wales.

The prince nods, "I promise on my honour, if he is guilty, you may punish him to your heart's content." he states and Michael relents.

Wardes is dragged off into the bowels of the ship to receive further medical treatment, and Michael is left in the captain's cabin surrounded by angry armed guards.

Wales sits not far from him sipping tea with crossed legs, "Now. Why don't you explain your story to me?"

-----------------------------------------------------------------

Wardes grits his teeth as two water mages cast a litany of spells to stop the bleeding and prevent his body from going into shock at the loss of an arm. Truly, he hadn't seen that coming. Gandalfr had broken free of the Ring's control and ambushed him, cutting off his sword arm and as a result, drastically weakening him...

He blamed Sheffield for this. That suspicious woman must have planned for this, she had always set him on edge, but this only confirms it in his mind.

Once his surgery was done, Wardes was left in a private room which just so happened to be locked from the outside... The door opens ten minutes after he was left alone, and a crewmate walks in after taking a couple glances around him to make sure he wasn't being followed.

"Sir Wardes."

"Do I know you?" Wardes asks before getting the idea to use the code... "Did you hear of the elf maiden's bitter well?"

The man grins as he hears this, "I have, it sours the crops and poison's the soul... I'm here to assist you." he explains.

Wardes glances down at his missing arm and scowls, "A touch too late I'm afraid."

The man shakes his head, "You must get up, your Griffin is about to be freed. I trust you can ride with one arm?"

Wardes nods and pulls himself out of bed... The spells the water mages had used had weakened him and slowed his reflexes, but he should be strong enough to escape with his allies assistance.