Paris, France ⚜
October 13th, 1307

The cobblestone shook beneath the weight of hoof beats. Nine horses, nine men rode to the gates of Paris. Their white or black tabbards were a sight to behold, not a man alive could not recognize the familiar crest they bore. The Templars were idolized throughout the realm as heroes, the warrior monks of the crusades. Even now, with not a war to fight, the men of the Temple were considered formidable and honorable. Yet it all was about to change, for tides of fate would turn against them.

The early morning dew had set in, making for low visibility as the men rode up upon the gates. "Damn this fog, can't see thirty steps ahead of us." One of the Sergeants murmured as the men stopped before the impeding structure.

"Who goes there?!" A voice called out from above, a gruff voice at that.

"We are Knights of the Templar, returning from the country, we seek entry to the city." Captain Nevieve called up to the GateKeeper. after a few short moments the gates rose and the knights trotted into the city. The nine men were quite from then on, moving through the streets towards their great keep. Practically from the moment they went through the gates eyes were on them.

After a pause, Nevieve turned to the others, "Keep on your guard, brothers..." The man uttered softly, hand resting on the hilt of his sheathed blade.

Guy didn't share his captain's paranoia, but he still respects his judgement. Should trouble arise, it'd suit him to hold his halberd. But, he was content was keeping his hand on his sword.

Guy slowed his horse's pace, to ride behind the group. The boys in black weren't full-fledged Templars, and most of them probably never seen battle, so he took it upon himself cover their flank.

A single rider emerged into the groups sight, a Templar like them. "Cedric, hail brother, how fair you?" The Captain asked as his tension was lifted by the familiar face.

"Ah I fair well, but heed my word, our Grand Master seeks a word. We must travel to Phillip's Keep at once, it's a matter of the utmost importance." The Knight nodded quickly, before rearing his horse and starting the way he had come.

The Templar Captain then waved his hand in a signal to advance. "What is it brother? What troubles our master?"

"There is word of war... A security council is being held in the Keep, you and your men have been instructed be present." Was all the man said, forcing his mount's pace to quicken down the hazy alley.

"Surely the recruits must go back to our keep and attend to their duties, brother." Guy said from behind. What would the master want with the recruits anyway. The sight of their brother did lower Guy's guard, as he took his hand away from his weapon hilt.

Cedric merely shrugged. "Let the boys come, the experience might do them some good," said Nevieve with a charming smile. "Surely you wouldn't want to miss this if you were their age."

"Very well, captain." Guy stayed at the flank. He didn't like it, but he let it go.
"Keep your chest up lads and don't say anything stupid, lest you want to be cleaning the stables tonight"

Tory almost bursts in laughter but chuckles instead when he tries to stay together. "Oh not again Sir Manson, you know im always ending up cleaning the stables."

The Captain glanced back at his men, eyes finding their newest Knight. Troy was a good hearted lad, strong in spirit and in steel. Though his reckless behavior had more than once landed him on the master's shit list. "Speak for yourself, cleaning the latrines isn't quite a pretty job." One of the Recruits chimed in with a shudder.

Guy smiled slightly at the young lads humour.
"Let us hasten our pace, its not good to keep the good King waiting"

Nevieve’s gaze then turned to his old friend Cedric further up the path. The Captain trusted the Knight with his very life, but something about this felt unsettling. Soon the horse clatter ended when they reached the steps of the King’s Keep. A small handful of guards were speaking amongst themselves near the door, lit by a single brazier.

Three figures then emerged from the door, speaking in low tones. One was clearly a Lord, the other a Knighted Guard. The two were accompanied by a smaller framed man in a thick black coat, their face covered by a shady cowl. It appeared as though the three were arguing something fierce. “Is war on the Horizon?” The Templar Captain called out as the trio closed in. There was no response, but Nevieve could clearly see a an uneasy glance exchanged between them.

"Who are those men?" Guy questioned Cedric.

“Just men sent to beckon to the King. Matters of state, I wouldn’t worry.” Cedric shrugged as he dismounted, starting towards the doors of the Keep. Nevieve could see the Knight and Lord concluding their discussion, before departing separate ways.

“If you lot want to dismount, my boys’ll take your horses to the stables.” The Guard spoke in a thick foreign accent, all as he went to follow Sir Cedric into the keep.

"Lets go lad, and don't leave your weapon on the horse" Guy ordered the recruits. The Knight lingered his gaze on the guard for a moment, his voice eerily unfamiliar. It reminded him of his time in Acre. All the different peoples and languages.

The Templars each dropped to the ground as guards came and took their horses away. “Corporal Goff, why don’t you come with me.” Navieve smiled at the young Templar, patting his shoulder as he went to Guy. “Keep watch here and wait for my word.” The Captain was solemn and quiet as he spoke in a whisper.

Guy wanted to say no, but the Captain's tone told him otherwise.
"Aye, Captain" he replied.

Nevieve gave a short nod and patted his shoulder as well. “Should this War come, I’d see you raised to the rank of Knight Captain, I thought you should know.” The man grinned, “when we return to the temple we should celebrate.” He then turned away and started after Cedric and the lone Royal Guard. Just then the doors to the keep opened to the sight of two other guards, though one had the same gold lining on his armor as the Knight, signifying rank.

The Knight quickly connected a punch to the Captain's face, dazing him.
The other guard embedded his dagger to the corporal's face, then held the Templar Knight down.
The Knightguard held his sword over the Captain's head.
"You, Templar, have betrayed France and her King"

Nevieve’s bloodied face was wrought with confusion, all as he glanced back at Troy and Guy in the distance. Just then the blade was struck into the nape of his neck, nearly severing his head from the rest of his body. Blood splattered over Cedric’s white cloak but he only took a step away, eyes closed in disdain.

“Upon the word of King Phillip, each of you are to be placed under arrest for crimes against God and France!” The words stung like dull razors. Just as suddenly the five templars were surrounded by guards who had seemingly come out of nowhere.

"Templars! To Arms!" Guy shout out, his sword in front of him. He didn't know what was going on, why this was happening. But he knew who brought them here.
"Cedric you traitor!" The Knight called out. That wouldn't help them though, the guards were closing in, and Guy doubted the recruits ability at the moment.

At that point Cedric was nowhere in sight. The two Royal Knights were now advancing with their own blades drawn. “We out-number you, if you don’t put down those swords we’ll be forced to exact the King’s Justice!” One of them shouted as they surrounded the Templars.

Guy looked around, there has to be at least 15 of the guards. Fully armed, with their...helms. Guy then charge towards one of the guards.
"To me lads, make for the stables"
Guy narrowly dodges the guard's stab, swinging his blade onto his arm. And he didn't stop moving. They have to run.

Troy took out his sword to fight the guards men to avenge his mentor and delay them from capturing hes friends. Troy yells "come and get me you cowards"

Guards began to swarm Troy's flanks, attempting to cut him off from his friends. "What'cha gonna do boy?" One of them teased, only to find a blade stuck into his shoulder. Blood shot from the wound, and the man began to scream. They then went after him, thrusting with their blades. It was a flurry of steel on steel, all as they watched their enemy deflect their strikes with ease.

In that moment the blue and gold Knight stepped forward, brandishing his longsword upon the young Templar. "Lower your weapon lad, this is foolish..." Was all the man said, his thick accent resonating through the helm he wore.

More guards appeared before Guy. There would not get far. The recruits and him weren't as close as he'd like them to be. He stopped running forward, holding his ground.

"I will never lower my weapon!" Troy charged against the Knight and thrusted his sword towards his neck.

The Royal Guard sidestepped as the thrust was performed. Instantly their blades connected, a sharp clang sounding as their edges danced off one another. Just then the Templar's blade came down once again, yet the Knight was unfazed and easily deflected it.

The other four Templars soon found themselves backed against the stables, between horses and blades. Their situation went from grim to dire as steel began to sing. One of the Templar recruits let out a frightful scream as blood spat out his stomach, a cold blade protruding from behind him.

Guy didn't turn to see his recruit fall. His body was moving on its own; dodging and parrying the enemy's attacks. The Knight barely got a struck out to even threaten the guards.

Then it happened. As the Knight swung his blade to parry a strike, one of the guardsmen found a hole in his defenses. A spear struck through. It cut his hand. Guy's body jerked to the side to avoid a more deathly outcome as he snake his arm around the shaft.

But then it hit him. A swing to the head with another shaft. The Knight went down to the dirt.

One by one, the remaining Templars were disarmed and beaten into submission. All but for Sir Troy, who stood his ground against the Royal Knight. "Back off, I'll take care of him!" The Knight in blue shouted to his subordinates as they attempted to close in on him.

The young Templar Knight fought with a fierce resolve, throwing strike upon strike against the Guard's defensive form. Deep down, the man beneath the helm knew that if he didn't stop him, his men would... Only they would kill him. So it went swiftly, the Knight's edge clattered against the steel of Troy's only to spin and send the Templar's blade airborne. The Knight guard thrusted the pommel of his sword into the Templar's stomach, and threw him to the ground. "Live to fight another day..." The man spoke in a whisper, all as he knelt over him with his edge to the throat.

He then stood, eyes turning to his Captain, then to the men. "Put them in Irons, and bring them to the dungeon. Be quick about it, we want to keep this commotion under wraps." The Captain spoke up, waving to his men. So they went to work, cleaning up their mess, and taking the surviving Templars to their fate in the dark...

Minutes or perhaps hours later...

Screams awoke the Templars from their slumber, another round of torture had commenced in the next cell. It shook them to them to the core to hear their brothers beg for mercy, plead to their god for respite. Yet it went on and on and on, not ceasing until the torturers themselves became tired and worn. Luckily for our band of heroes, their time had yet to arrive...

Guy woke up with a start minutes ago. He remembered getting knocked out, and his dreams were off the battles in Acre. The two almost made him attack one of the recruits upon waking.

But now he sits at the corner of the cell, not saying a word. He couldn't comprehend what was happening. The Templars have always been allies with the Crown of France. Was this an isolated attack? Did the Master, or the Pope sanctioned this? Impossible, crimes against the King that guard said. And Cedric...

That bastard led us here. Guy tighten his fist, thinking about putting his hands around that traitor's neck.

"Guy, what's happening... Why have they done this to us?" Willam uttered softly. He was short and lean you boy of nineteen, only a corporal, but as faithful as any knight. Willam sat in the corner of the dark cell holding his swollen wrist. It was an injury he'd sustained during their encounter with the Royal Guard.

Willams voice snapped him into reality, causing him to flinch as the pain of his hand now came to mind. He examined his hand. The cut tore through two of his fingers by the knuckles and onto his hand. Guy tore off a piece of his clothing to make do as a bandage.

While doing so, he answered Willam only with a solemn expression. The Knight himself could not know.

"The pope will save us, or our Master... Surely they wouldn't leave us to this fate?" William shook his head, sulking.

"Be silent child, that mouth of yours won't get us out of here" Guy said sternly. But he himself do not know how to get out. Perhaps he could fight off the guards when they come for him? But they would have weapons, and he's in chains. .

The crying finally ceased when a commotion sounded, something of a brawl that ended with silence. Footsteps could be heard reaching closer and closer for their cell. Out of the dark hallway emerged the same three that had once been arguing in the courtyard, the Knight, the Lord, and the Rogue. The only one of the three with a face to show was the lord in his fine garments and ornate broadsword strapped to his side. "You lot better be able to run, this is your only chance." The Lord spoke as he motioned for the Royal Guard to open the cell door.

Guy was dazed for a moment, but his instincts kicked it.
"Quickly lads, we must go" he said. Guy walked out to the three man, still slightly suspicious.
"Did the pope send you?"

The Royal Knight stood just before the cell door, standing before the Knight Templar. "Our pope has said nothing..." He then lifted his helm from his head, face to face with his old friend. "I'm sorry Guy, it appears the Templars are alone in this." Sir Henry Shaw, the once loyal Templar found himself enraged by his King's betrayal...

"Brother" He said sternly, unsure of how to feel at the moment. But at least he was here. "Thank you Henry. Do we have a way out of Paris?"

The Lord stepped forward, "Leave that to me." He spoke with a nod, his expression stern and solemn. "Shaw and my friend here are going to take you through the sewers, I'll have men waiting near the Somme to assist you on your way through the streets. But I warn you, do not try for the Temple, it is overrun with French Guards and Mercenaries..."

"That means, the Templars of Paris are all here" He said, looking to the lot of them. "Let us make haste"

"So far as we know... The others in the dungeon won't be able to make the journey..." Shaw uttered softly, eyes finding the young Templar he had faught before. "You there, boy. You faught well earlier, though you should learn not to stray from your pack."

Troy looket at the royal Knight that he Faught in shame and anger, he responded. "Shut up youre old fool next time you wil be the one on the ground" Troy then turns his back and faced the wall to avoid eye contact with the knight.

"... He's a fiery one." Shaw told Guy with a grin, then motioned for them to move. "Alright, if you want out of here you lot better follow me." He said with a nod, then patted the Lord's shoulder. "Be safe, my friend..."

"Just get yourself out of this city, Henry." The Lord said before turning to the Templars, "You may be the last of the Order in Paris, It's up to you to tell the world what happened here..."

Guy did not bother to educate Troy, emotions are high at this point. The shock still kept his mind ringing.
"Y-yes" He said out loud. "No!" he turn back to the cells, "Henry, please, take our brothers out of their misery. We cannot leave them here..."

Henry blinked, tilting his head slightly, clearly confused by what he had heard. "W-What?... What do you propose we do?" The Knight asked his old friend, taking a step closer to the Templar.

Guy took a deep breathe "We kill them Henry"

"Our holy father would surely damn us to hell if we did such a thing!" The Knight protested, his eyes ablaze.

"Then I will do it..." A light voice murmured, to which Henry turned to the cloaked figure. "I will put these these men to peace." The Lord's expression went sour in that instant, yet spoke not a word in defiance.

Guy nodded, "It is for the best" he muttered, moving on slowly, while the deed was to be done.

"No!" Henry insisted, grabbing at the rogue's arm, and pulling him away. In a tense moment, the two glared at one another. It was as if two lions were ready to pounce at one another.

"It's alright..." The Lord uttered, setting a hand on the Knight's shoulder.

Shaw only shook his head, "I will do it. I won't let their blood be on your hands." He spoke in a growl, the look of anger pouring out of the man. He then drew his dagger and went to the other cells.

Count Dumas averted his gaze, instead moving over to the Templar Guy. "May I have a word with you?"

Guy almost didn't stop walking, then quickly turn to the Count, "What is it, my lord?"

"Henry tells me you are the ranking Knight of these men, that you've been with the brotherhood since the days of Acre's fall." The Count nodded, "they will need you more than ever before... Phillip's men won't stop hunting you. People will turn you away, spit upon the very mention of Templar... But alas be strong, if not for God, then for these brave men that follow you."