Defence is the better Offence: (OldGobbo)

[/|/afamere]

Sabe stood about his desk wondering all the while where this person was, he had heard of this young card from Mid-Range region... even though he has a strange coat of a recently discovered realm that they had over looked for quite some time. Things here were going to get more exiting, but the current circumstances of his achievement to Queen hood and becoming titled had made him a bit edgy in the fact of others wanting his position and probably try to kill him out right.

So he started searching for a defender... someone that would stand a vigilant watch to keep would be assassins and others in their place. He had good right to look for one, and it wouldn't be that expensive to keep one on retainer. So he had decided... it would be a good time to get one.

He sat at his desk wondering all the while what was to happen... wondering how this realm acted, but reformed himself that he was raised in the Mid-Ranges... though it was too bad that he was of another suit, a Diamond to be precise... though... where they not better fighters with weapons made of metal? They were not that bad, suits he may even get a few odd glances here and there but that wouldn't harm his thoughts one bit.

He leaned back in his chair with a single post to support his back, due to the wings that came from his back. He had to get this chair made for him, and it was rather comfortable, better than a perch. His office wasn't too large nor that small, it seemed that it was just big enough to hold all the paperwork and a few bookshelves, though it had a balcony where he could come and go as he pleased, that reassured him if he ever wanted to play hooky. With that he smiled and waited for the arrival of the Mid-Ranger.

[Old Gobbo]

Amherst strode down the sandstone hallways with pride, with purpose. It had only been a short time since he had taken down his sign outside Furgus,’ and he had already received notice that a Queen of the courts wished to speak with him. He imagined others might say that a Diamond should not stoop so low as to meet with the Court of Clubs, but he did not think that way. This was a job with a court, and the Order of the Guardians had a long standing tradition of protecting royalty.

In his mind, he went over the information he had on the Card he was meeting. His Majesty Sabe, Queen of Clubs. Heron from the Forest of Kahmden. That was it, really. Amherst’s lack of knowledge would make this interview interesting.

Interview, yes. Amherst had been requested to report to His Majesty Sabe at his convenience for an interview. He found that somewhat amusing. Amherst was a Guardian and that meant one thing…

…In a way, Amherst would be the one conducting the interview.

He rounded the corner and came upon the office he was directed to. Seated in a chair was a Kahmden heron. Ah yes, he had arrived.

Amherst gave a deep bow, flourishing his wing as he did. “Your Majesty Sabe. I am Guardian Amherst, come to the Court of Clubs at your request.”

[/|/afamere]

Sabe hadn't quite noticed that someone had entered through the door until he had spoken. He glanced up from the reports on his desk and found it amusing that the card in question was a Diamond. He thought others would shy away if they were not of the same suit as the court applying for, but this was the best arrival that he had all day. Maybe this could be one of the first steps on starting his grand scheme.

He stood up from his desk and rounded it, his back wings trailing slightly above the floor, giving off an incredibly powerful aura of self-assurance, though Sabe never felt it often... he never really thought about them and was effected by it unknowing. Though the others around him felt this effect constant. He stood before the animal form man and smiled.

"So nice of you to come Guardian Amherst, It is a pleasure to meet you here in the Court of Clubs." he said with a slight bow of his neck. Sabe wasn't really too used to the trappings of royalty just yet, being born outside deep in the Forest had made him a bit shy about these sort of things. "I do hope that your trip was a safe one?" he said as he turned and moved back to his chair sitting down, his wings falling into place about the high back post. He looked up and motioned to the perch that he had next to the chair on the other side of the walnut desk. "Please sit." he said as he cleared off some of the space on his desk so towers of papers wouldn't be between the two of them.

[Old Gobbo]

Amherst availed himself of a seat and set his halberd against a wall. The Queen seemed nice enough, and very polite. He could get used to the civility of the courts, Amherst decided. Oh yes, quite used to this indeed.

"My trip was perfectly safe, your Majesty, and rather enjoyable. I am not a full-flighted bird, and so had to travel by land, but that was not a deterrent on my enjoyment."

He studied the heron. He definitely seemed very sure of himself. Of course, Amherst imagined that all queens tended towards that disposition. Still, Amherst had rarely seen someone exude that much self-confidence before. Possess it, yes, but not exude it. This was a man with places to go yet, even if he had already attained such a high status.

"It is my understanding, sir, that you are in need of a personal bodyguard. Your Majesty may rest assured that my qualifications as such are exceptional. I am a Guardian, of the ancient Mid-Ranger Order of the same. Am I correct regarding your inquiries, sir?"

[/|/afamere]

Sabe looked back up at the avian, taking full measure of the person before him. He seemed ready and seemed willing, but their was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that almost made him want to blurt it out... but a touch of etiquette would be the best case here. He leaned a bit forward and placed his hands together, locking in each finger.

"I see... Though You don't have the markings of a Mid-Ranger... your of another breed. Where you raised in the Mid-Range Region?" he asked as he sat back in his chair, watching the other with an intense look in his eyes, something of a challenge really. His hand slipped to his hands slipped to the desk top waiting for the other to finish his reply.

"Ok... now how good are you?" he said as he stood up quickly and lifted his palm to him:

♣Amazing Defensive Ability♣
Once a month, he is able to cause an opponent to go blind for a full minute. During this time, their hearing will be impaired only through the fact that, when he speaks, they will hear it coming from 4 points; the original, one directly in front of them, one to each side, and one behind.
The opponent can still cast spells and use items, but their aim will be severely deterred if not obliterated by this spell.
This spell works on Cards ranked King or lower and on Leverets.

He had to test him... make sure that he was worth it... make sure that he wasn't going to die young as he was... it would trouble him to no end. He hopped he would succeed and not fail the queen.

"Cut me once... " he said as he moved away "Your hired..." he moved once again "Cut me not... your lost your might" he said as he lifted his cane into his hand ready for the first strike.

[Old Gobbo]

Oh, good trick, Amherst thought as the world went dark around him. Then, the queen started to taunt him. The sound came from all around him, five directions at once.

Amherst stood, calmed his breathing, and drew his katzbalger. The term actually meant cat's gutter, but today he wanted a heron to fear it.

This was magic and magic had limits. In this case, it harmed his hearing and sight. But there were ways to hear without listening. Sound is a funny thing. His father had taught him about sound, when he learned blind fighting in the catacombs of the Mid-Range. The echoes of the catacombs made the sound seem to come from everywhere. But it still only came from one direction.

If your ears deceived you, there were other ways to detect sound. Your jaw could feel the sound. Your eyes would dilate when facing towards the sound. Amherst set aside his ears and listened with his jaw, with his eyes. It wasn't exact in the least, but it was the best he had.

He raised his katzbalger over his head and felt out again. The taunts were meant to confuse, but with each word, Amherst could feel where he was hot and where he was cold.

And with might, he felt his eyes dilate and almost thought he could smell the breath of the queen.

He struck!

But it was not with the sword that he attacked with. He had been using large motions with the sword, raising it above its head, to draw the eyes up there. But it was with his dexterous foot that he struck with. The emu/raven foot was strong and the nail sharp. He hoped the sword distracted the heron enough that he would draw a small line of blood.

[/|/afamere]

((Rolled a D20 twice first one was for offense and second for Defense the numbers were 13 and 7,XD... I lost ^_^))

He watched the avian stand still and pull out the wicked knife that he had hidden on him. His only regret was that of the small space that he attempted this in, if they had been in a larger area then this could have worked out well for him, but with his short sight did he find himself being struck out at by a talon, his eyes hadn't quite deceived him, but thankfully his upbringing as a long distance mail carrier had proven to be valuable once again. Many a bandit had tried this on him before, fighting dirty and such.

Sabe moved just in time to see the Talon slice through his right arm wing, something that he prized much, feathers flew about in the air, though no blow was landed on the heron, for that he was happy, but he knew where he was by smell, that couldn't be avoided... At least the emu/raven knew about fighting, though how adept was he at Magic?

He quickly rolled away to the other side of the desk, lifting a jar of finely grounded white sage and tossed it about the room, Covering any scent that would be left here. He smiled once again, and this time remained quiet as he waited patiently for a min so the other can see him clearly, always staying out of reach of the blade that the other had.

"Well you got me once." He said as he lifted his arm so that the other could see his feathers all ruined below the forearm. "And I think you nicked me, well done!" he said as he dabbed his finger at the small cut...

"Your fighting style is quite well honed, I can tell you have trained hard... but have you trained magically as well?" he said as he threw his next spell without any incantation or word.

♣ Queen's Ability ♣
Once a week he is now capable of forcing another SD to freeze in place from the waist down. They will be rooted to the spot, unable to move for a full minute. Their upper body is still theirs to control, but even if they hack their feet off, unless they cut above the waist, they would be unable to move from the spot. While they are frozen, the caster is vulnerable, if the victim dies while in this uncompromising position, the caster will slowly begin to turn to stone from the feet up. Please PM the admin should this occur.

He waited to see the results of this one... the Guardian was hired, but was he magically inclined as well? Or just another swordsman thinking with his arm muscles?

[Old Gobbo]

There was really no way that Amherst could best a Queen in the fields of magic, and he was still too young of a Card to have achieved any actual powers of his own, outside of the standard ones his suit gave him. But they were social in nature, not combative.

But that was it. He could not hope to combat the Queen with magic, but logic could show he was still up to the task.

Amherst straightened himself up and his voice took on a deep, melodious baritone. "Your Majesty, you and I both know that I cannot possibly best a Queen in the realm of magic, especially one of your impressive ability. But there are other ways to continue to be a Guardian while bested by magic."

He flexed his muscles and found exactly what he expected. He could not get out. "I cannot move my lower body right now, but I am not required to offensively go after something as a Guardian, simply protect you. As long as you were to stay near me while this magic was in effect, I could continue to protect you just as well."

Basic Magical Ability: He can act charismatic and persuasive at times, whether or not he actually has the natural charm and grace to pull it off.

[/|/afamere]

Sabe nodded to the young lad, finding the answer to best fulfill his requirements that he had placed. He had already interviewed several hopeful candidates for his personal protection. None had come this close to what this young avian had achieved, none had scratched him, and none could come up with the solution that he had placed upon this card.

"Yes... give it a minute to wear off and have a seat again." he said as he slowly sat down, making sure that the card wasn't going to throw his blade at him. Yes... none had come this far... his merging of the courts could be in his grasp as long as he kept gathering people from other courts to help him with his local embassy in the Capital. It would be a place where lower ranked members of the Four Courts to assemble to cross exchange information and further help the rest of the regions. "Yes... close indeed... by the way, if you don't want to further your magics then know this... so long as you can be my steel against steel then know that I'll be the magic against magic." he said with a smile on his face, showing some sings of exhaustion from the spell that he had just cast.

He quickly remembered... his private rooms... what he had hidden there. "And if you do accept, know full well never to enter my private rooms, even if you hear the sounds of battle... there are things that Cards must never see in there." he said as he leaned back in the chair as the feelings of the spells ebbed out of his body leaving muscles sore and tired. "What is the amount in which you want to be paid, and is there anything that you want to know of me?" he asked as he locked his fingers within each other.

[Old Gobbo]

Amherst tried not to show how much that test affected him. He had never faced a face card before, and the experience was frightening. Since his father died, Amherst had never lost a fair fight. Of course, magic was still fair -- as was anything in a battle, really -- but it just made him feel so outclassed. It was something to improve upon later.

The magic wore off, and Amherst could move again. He took a seat in front of the queen and nodded at his words. "Your Majesty, I will accept those conditions, but in turn there are some that I have for you."

He steeled himself. It was time to see if the Codex of the Order still could hold weight in these modern times. He'd hoped to use his Diamond power here, but that was no longer possible. Here's to good words, then. "The codex of my order is very specific about certain things. When I take on a charge, my very life is bound to it. As a Mid-Ranger, I have ways of enforcing that upon myself. Due to this tie, there are certain rules that follow.

"Our contract includes a two-way break clause. If I am failing you as a Guardian, you may terminate me without warning. However, if I feel you are failing me as a charge, through your actions, morals, or plans, I am equally able to terminate the contract at any time. A Guardian chooses his charge, not the other way around."

He stared deep into the heron's eyes and hoped that doing such wasn't impertinent to a queen. "Is that acceptable, Your Majesty?"