Naturally, Chago heads for the audience chamber to claim his thronelike seat for that height and presence when the others come in. That's right, no coming in to pomp and circumstance for him. The room has been further transformed during the night too, clearly boggan work. Tarot designed tapestries line the hall, marking the major arcana with the three of swords design covering the steps to the throne. Hanging behind that throne is The Tower and Chago nods his head in approval. "Sudden change, usually unwelcome or shocking. I sure as hell am gonna be that." he declares before taking his seat and grinning toothily. "Think I should get a crown?" he says in a mostly jesting tone.
Genny laughs at that, the sweeps of dark fabric she wears catching the flickers of dark light and hording them away, making her look like she's covered in dark fire. "Sombrero or chef's hat?" Her tones are light, even though the look in her eyes is serious. She's had just about enough of Baron what's his bucket and his demands. About time to kick some sidhe ass without bothering to take names. She looks over the room and over the others who begin to arrive, dressed appropriately to the situation and rather a frightening little group they make. At least to those out of the family.
Chago laughs lightly at that, but straightens and takes on a proper 'I'm in charge' manner as folks arrive. His eye sweeps the room and the arrangement and he nods once to himself, sending the Corby folks to one side as a unit and giving Kiersten and Shova a place of honor to the other. It takes a scowl and a rather sharp gesture to get Shova to step up but the more politically savvy sidhe can tell someone setting a scene and moves easily as directed. Everyone is in their finest too, even folks that shouldn't have had finest available like Kenny. He looks the most uncomfortable of them all in fact.
Once the stage is set, Chago signals for the people there to see proof of the keep being self sufficient to be allowed in and they come with only mild hesitation. Who eagerly goes to see a redcap, after all? The remaining 'special' seats go to the local town’s mayor and the sheriff and to a general of the baron's army as they come in. The generic flunkies that seem to follow sidhe politics about are directed to the front of the lesser seating next, again purely by who came in when. Only Kiersten and Shova got anything truly special.
Finally, after delaying to make an entrance, the Baron arrives and stops almost as soon as he enters, dead last and left with the worst possible seats for himself and his usual pomp. Before he can protest, Chago rises and lifts his voice, the room design carrying it easily over those in the crowd. "I am Chago Bergasa. I am the Witch King of this Keep and all lands associated with it. The Lady Kiersten can speak more... eloquently on the forms granting this to me, if any of you need to hear. Otherwise, I am here to present proof that this Keep is indeed self sustaining and therefor mine alone." He turns to the gathering he placed in the best seats and tips his head in near respect then looks to the gathered flunkies. "If you would be so kind to part and allow the Baron to join us, I will escort Lady Kiersten and lead the rest of your officials to -my- bale."
He did a good job of sounding all proper and dignified up until the last. The stress on my has the edge of challenge that only a redcap can manage to give a word that is just so simple.
There are so many levels of insult going on, and yet...not much the Baron can do about it. If he'd arrived first, he would have had a good seat and been seated for the last few minutes rather than cooling his royal heels. The flushed expression followed by color high in the sidhe's cheeks is hardly missed by... well... anyone. His fingers curl into a fist which he forces to relax, one finger at a time.
Kiersten moves to Chago's side with grace, standing with a high head and chin tilted slightly upwards. The look in her eyes is the type which has dragged men through mushroom rings and kept them for centuries held captive by a beauty they can never hope to hold. Her fingers come to rest on Chago's arm, even as Genny moves to join Shova, likewise taking his arm. The two satyrs exchange a murmur of words, but so low that even Chago's hearing can't pick it up. Or maybe because it wasn't words so much as a click of tones and hums. Weird satyrs. They wait until the party begins to move, and then despite the pomp and all, both slip away.
Quickly those in the way get out of it, though they're definitely coming along for the show.
Regaining some kind of composure the Baron simply waits for a proper path to clear before striding up it. He gives a bow to his niece, gaze flickering over Chago with dismissal. "My niece...I am glad to see you again. Soon you will come home and all will again be well."
Ah well... one can only hope for the best results. It was too much to ask that everyone keep blocking the Baron until they got to the bale chamber. It was a fun fantasy though. Chago's grin doesn't fade in the least when he's ignored. After all, redcaps learned a long time ago how to be afforded attention from the sidhe, butt in.
"Yeah. The Lady will return to her place real soon." he agrees with the Baron, stressing the word Lady to be clear he means it as her title and not just a politeness. "And you're damn right, things will be quite well when she does return. Better'n they been in a long time, I got a feeling." he observes. No title is offered to the Baron either. Only for Kiersten. "It's been a real honor to be able t'give her a place to rest and recover from all the stuff she's been put through. Makes a guy glad he's been able t'help, ya know? I'm glad she made the choice t'stay here with us."
Not that he'd stress why she was there, or that she's not been a captive for the audience or anything. Oh no. And he's not staying quiet either. Likely everyone coming to see the bale can hear every word.
A piece of shadow detaches itself from the hallway, moving to stand next to the Baron. The creeper is dressed as finely as a sidhe, though in his own particular idiom. A once white starched shirt with a formal overcoat and pants, all held together with spider silk and shadow. He sniffs, looking down at Chago and whispering with a sibilant hiss. "It speaks loudly for one who has taken so much. It is a wonder that your patience remains, m'lord Baron."
The appearance of the councilor brings a further paling to Kiersten's cheeks and she squeezes Chago's arm slightly, steadying herself.
Chago's head turns and he smiles toothily to the councilor at that whisper. It's not a nice smile either. Oh heck no. It's much more a display of teeth than anything remotely approaching nice. A low growl vibrates in his throat, just ahead of a typical retort when the arm squeeze registers and he turns instead to Kiersten. "I believe the Lady will be more than happy to inform all that matter that -it- has earned everything -it- has." he says. "And -it- is pleased to be able to say as much with the Lady here to hear it. If anyone thinks otherwise, -it- will also be happy to take matters into -its- own hands if need be." And every it is sharply stressed, all but curses in the force he puts to them. "Not that -it- thinks anyone would be foolish enough to insult -it- within -its- home. After all, when this tour is over, -it- would be well within -its- right to handle such insults in whatever method suited -it-." An the last it is quite clipped as his teeth snap together audibly.
"How quaint...it has learned speech." The councilor doesn't sound the least bit threatened, giving Kiersten a little mocking bow. "I have always wondered at your choice of pets, Mistress, but this is even beyond the goat stench you tend to carry along with you." He sniffs again, pulling out a stained grey handkerchief and touching it to his nose. "This place positively reeks of such things. A unique diversion, but it is quiet time to stop playing at power games, don't you think?"
Kiersten frowns, her hand remaining tight on Chago's arm, though whether it's to keep him calm or her is a hard call. "My diversions are much less profane than what you keep behind closed doors. You are a guest here. I suspect it would be good for you to remember that fact."
Chago starts to turn as the creeper hisses his words, but the grip on his arm forces him to wait. Probably a good thing too. Instead, he faces forward. "We're almost to -my- bale now. Once it has been seen, I expect you will be leaving, councilor." he says very calmly. "Unless, that is, you've had some strange desire to see your spleen before it's sautéed with a bit of garlic and served with refried beans and fresh tortillas." And not a single word has a hint of temper behind it. He could as easily be talking about a far more normal recipe.
The councilor laughs at that. "Indeed. I've yet to impute the hospitality of the goat whore and the thing. I'm merely making conversation." Chago's words are summarily dismissed, as though he can't even hear the redcap speak. "Though I will be interested to see what you have devised as a bale. The last one in this area was extinguished long ago." He bows to the Baron. "Save for what his Grace has graciously kept burning."
Chago mutters softly in Spanish, things much closer to what he really wanted to say but has been trying to be more the leader than to give voice to, the tone going darker. Still, as they reach the bale chamber, he stops at last and turns to the group again. "Everyone, I wanna thank you for bearing with me in this process. My lady Genny risked a great deal to get us this bale and she has done a service to not only myself and my people, but to all the people of the lands this place protects." His eye flicks to the Baron as he makes this point and then on to the others without lingering
"Lady Kiersten, as fitting your station, please, see for yourself and show those gathered here the proof of our efforts. Welcome to Feroz Corazon's bale and the proof that this is my territory now." And with those words, and the blatant declaration he recognizes her as his counterpart instead of the Baron, he indicates the door and steps back a single pace to give her free access.
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"The goat bitch is a thief and a murderer. If she has brought fire to this place, you can be assured it was through treachery and ill will..."
Even as the councilor speaks the Baron steps forward, catching his niece by the arm. The grip is harder than it has to be, like to leave bruises on her skin even as he pushes her forward.
“Enough...we will see to this nonsense now." He drops to a knee, pulling Kiersten with him and reaching towards the flame, frowning at what he feels. "Impossible. Trickery."
"I do not think so, Uncle." Kiersten's voice is still strong. "Fire...true fire...won in blood. I would not touch that were I you."
Kenny slips in behind Chago, leaning forward and muttering quickly. 'Attack on the walls...the goat woman is kickin' asses.'
"The goat bitch proved herself to the last of a lost line and gained that with his blessing." Chago snarls. temper beginning to fray at last. "Would the flames be so strong if stolen?"
His head turns to lock a glare on the Baron then and his hand reaches toward the pair of sidhe as he says "The Lady is here under my protection and welcome. -You- are only here for this proof. Remove your hand from her arm before I remove it from yours." He snaps, pushing his anger into the tone and driving a Browbeat at the shocked Baron.
Before things can go farther, Kenny's arrival catches him and he turns to the group on that report. "You two. If either of you leave my sight, you will be hunted as instigators in this attack." he says with a sharp gesture to the Baron and the Councilor. "Stay close. If these are your men attacking my walls, I expect you to stop them, either by deed or by death. I brought you here legitimately. I expected to be treated with honor. I'm giving you a chance, then I'm dealing with this as a Witch King." And he waves Kenny to lead the way, moving to follow and bellowing for any of his people in earshot. There's no effort to make it easy for either the sidhe or the creeper he just ordered to stay in sight to do so either. If they don't want to risk finding out if he meant it, they better scramble.
The Baron stands under the Browbeat, but not without considerable effort. His eyes widen, feeling the strength of the claimed bale in Chago's wishes. He doesn't release Kiersten, even as the noise of the place rises, at least not until Shova appears, blood on one side of his face and rage in his eyes. Then the Baron starts shouting orders to his retinue.
"Kill them all! This so called Witch King and his Bitch. Bring me their heads and this strength will too be mine!"
Yeah...Mine...he's kind of obnoxious isn't' he? And the proof of the loyalty of the soldiers he brought is in their instant response. Those who doubt were left behind.
The councilor begins a sibilant chant, his form beginning to shift. Big freaking surprise there. Chago's turn continues, his hand lifting to rip his cape off in a pin breaking jerk as he goes full circle. "Kenny! General!" he orders as he turns that circle, expecting the kid to be little more than a distraction really. His hand twirls, coiling the cape and then pouring a bit of glamour into it as he snaps it like a whip to trigger haste for his own assault.
For the moment, the Councilor is ignored as Chago lunges at the Baron in a blur, jaws snapping for the arm on Kiersten's and his Gauntleted fists pistoning at the man's gut as many times as he can before the effect wanes. Chaos? Yeah, just a little, but there's an order to it too. A method to the madness.
The twins are there and taking on anything which happens to get in front of them. Most of the Baron's troops are knockers and creepers with a few trolls tossed in there for good measure, but most of the trolls in the area aren't in the Baron's service, which likely says something about him as much as anything else. The fighting is dirty and harsh, but the Kink folk know fighting in a way that no trained soldier does.
The Baron expects Chago to attack him but not in the way he does. Quicksilver? An arranged attack force? Even so that Baron releases Kiersten just as the bite comes and might have avoided Chago's teeth, but he'd forgotten the bloody angry satyr. Shova has had to grow up fast the last few weeks and he pulls Kiersten out of the way, snapping a kick into the back of the Baron's knees at the same time. Something breaks and where the Baron had meant to go away from Chago, he falls towards those teeth. Crunch.
As for Kenny and the General...yeah...the kid doesn't stand a chance. The general is a grump knocker and a skilled one. It doesn't take long before he and Kenny are exchanging shots, though more of them land on the young redcap, who growls before yelling something at the General, the language strange and musical, odd from a redcap's mouth. And something that makes the General give pause.
Chago stays on the Baron's body with his assault, but he hasn't forgotten his surroundings. He snaps a Gauntleted hand toward the Councilor's general direction. "Blood of nobility. Blood of the mountain. Join and rise. Bind that man." he hisses out in another quick and dirty bunk to try and bind the creeper to slow him as he grips the sidhe's head with his free hand so he can bite it off. Oh yes, he meant it when he said Witch King.
The rest? He trusts his trolls to do their job and someone will get free to help Kenny if need be.
The attempt to bind the councilor is a good one, but it slides off him, like water. He's sucking glamour from the air, from the bale and growing as he does. There is something wrong here...something that is not a creeper, though it wore a creeper’s face.
The general pulls Kenny up until they're almost nose to nose. That would be dangerous with Chago, but the General is apparently willing to risk it with the younger cap. It's impossible to hear what words are exchanged, but the result is immediate. Kenny is released and the General sprints for Kiersten. "Those of the Loyal blood, to me and the Lady!" As he yells the creeper among the troop begin attacking anyone near them, Chago's men or the General's, shedding pieces of skin and lashing out with weapons and whips that used to be body parts. Whatever they are they're bad.
Chago promised to protect Kiersten and his next steps, as he spits the taste of the Baron's flesh from his mouth, are to be between her and any threats. "Guard her!" he bellows, gesturing for the trolls to close in with him as he squares on the Councilor. Then his eye narrows and he goes all sorts of formal. "This is -mine-. My home. My bale. I deny you. Thou has no claim. I deny you. Thou hast no right. I deny you. Thou hast no power." And again, Glamour flows, this time a large part of his personal store as well as that of the bunk as he releases a Soothsayed curse.
On the heels of that curse, he adds "Baroness Kiersten. Thou art sovereign in thine own place. Claim thy due." As he makes the final formal statement, he stresses the word sovereign to suggest a potential method.
The trolls move to him even as Kenny and the General close ranks around Kiersten. The bale flares and then takes on a darker light, painting the room in red and black.
The once councilor shudders, whipping towards Chago like an oily piece of shadow. "What art thou!?! Where comes this strength?" So the curse hasn't completely knocked it out, but it's shrinking even as it eels and tentacle arms lash towards Chago. What was complete confidence sounds shaken, uncertain. "Die!"
Kiersten swallows, ripping her gaze away from her dead Uncle. Bastard or not he was still family. She draws a breath and straightens, drawing a breath.
"My land and my people, come to my claim. Blood of the Loyal...rise to the defense of what is yours."
Chago's ignores the whiplike tentacle things he's attacked with and he lets them strike as he takes a stalking step toward that creature. "I am Chago Bergasa. I am Witch King of my domain." he says in a hard and even voice, his lips curling to expose those shark teeth with every word, " I am Seer. I am boss of Feroz Corazon," With each statement of what he is, he draws closer to his foe, eye blazing with fury and focus both. "I am redcap."
His fists close and he draws back one then and lets fly with a ripping punch as he adds in a bellow of all the built up focus and rage. "I am your END!"
In movies these things take a long time. Sometimes there's even a slow-motion montage. In reality fights are vicious and over very quickly. Those loyal to the new Baroness are given additional strength as she claims the land. Even though she's not standing in her bale or on her grounds the land has known her long enough to respond to her blood claim. The creeper creations begin to fall, pounded into bloody messes.
As Chago advances the tentacles hit him, leaving burning welts where they touch and the creeper takes a deep breath, spitting a thick stream of acidic fog even as the punch rips into it. Aw...it has a gooey nutag center.
Chao's eye snaps shut as the fog begins to pour out, protecting his vision in pure reflex. As he pulls the first fist back, his other lashes out blindly, tearing into the creeper body as well and then his arms pull in opposite directions, ending the body with the hooks and barbs of his Blooded Gauntlets. Only when he feels the body torn does he give into the reflex to fall back, bellowing again, this time in the pain of the acid burning his flesh. His fingers curl and he tugs off one Gauntlet, dropping it at his feet and stretching the bare arm out blindly toward where he left people. "Kitchen! Now!" he demands. "Everyone else, see to the Baroness and the battle!"
It's Evan's cool touch that grabs Chago's arm, guiding him away from the chaos of the bale and into the cool caverns. There's more noise coming from outside of the Keep but that seems far away. He cranks on water, half shoving Chago's face into it. Watching acid dig into Chago's skin isn't any fun.
A few moments later another presence enters the room, a bogan who approaches carefully. "My lord the General sent me to see to the wounded."
As Chago washes the wounds, he directs Evan to the baking soda and sprinkles it onto the worst hurting places, then works the base powder into the acid burn to kill it off quickly. Then more washing. And more. When he hears the voice, he gives Evan a 'watch but stay out of the way' gesture. "Check on Kenny. The other redcap. He got beat up good. And Shova. He was bloody last I saw." he directs as he keeps washing his own wounds, stripping off his ruined finery between splashes and not caring who might see it. Everything by touch. He's not about to open that remaining eye until he's not feeling any burny spots.
It takes a few minutes, ones he can likely spare since the worst offenders are ripped into pieces and being absorbed by the stone of the bale chamber. Eventually though, the burning on his skin ceases and the paste of baking soda stops bubbling. When he does open his eye Evan is still there, but other than that the kitchen is quiet.
Chago mutters more Spanish curses as he keeps washing to get rid of the rest and to wash off the potentially toxic salts created by neutralizing an unknown acid. Besides, they burn in the wounds. Finally, when all the owie aspects are gone and he's feeling much better, he looks at Evan and takes a step toward the creepers. "Okay. Do your thing. Patch me up enough to fake it so I can check on the rest."
Then he looks around to pick up some cleaning clothes and tie them together into a cheap loincloth and then find the single Gauntlet that made it this far. He can go back for the other later, just like clothing. Duty first.