Background;

A youthful dandy and graduate of L’École de Danse. Something of a ladies man who enjoys a reputation as a womaniser. Bold and brash, Jean enjoys an almost celebrity status since his exploits in the marketplace, saving two women from thugs.
 
When he is not wooing the local wenches at the taverns and inns, he is usually found relaxing in the sun with his drinking buddy Maximillian. He enjoys an almost carefree existence as a hero and speaks little of his peasant family or his youth playing in the gutters with other urchins especially the hi jinks that caught the attention of Reynald of Blois.
 
It was at a particularly prestigious event at which Jean became the sworn enemy of Reynald. As the Blois family entourage marched through Paris to attend a banquet celebrating the young Reynald's betrothal to one of the King's nieces(?), the young street urchin Jean took it upon himself to challenge Reynald to a wager. Much accustomed to scurrying across the hidden thoroughfares of Paris, Jean bet Reynald his horse that he could race from the Galois marketplace to the Degalle fabric merchants. In exchange, Jean would steal several of the finest cakes from the King's Kitchen for him. Reynald, a huge fan of those cakes and well accustomed to traversing Paris, knew the locations well and accepted the bet. Secretly planning to outwit the street urchin by making for his horse and galloping his way to the finish line.
 
The terms set, Reynald quickly made for his horse and laughed as he galloped away down the street towards the finish line. Jean, as cool as anything, simply clambered onto a nearby cart and hoisted himself up onto the rooftops. He daintily skipped his way across the roof tiles, sending one tile skidding to the floor below - crashing in front of the walking horses of the Du Champe entourage. The head of the household, looked up to see the dirty young boy skipping across the rooftops.
 
Arriving at the end of the row of houses, Jean acrobatically lowered himself to the floor and planted his feet practically on the doormat of the Degalle fabric merchant's premises. A short while later, an astonished Reynald arrived absolutely amazed to see the young boy there before him. He angrily quizzed the boy and wondered whether it had been a trick by twins. He even accused Jean of sorcery at one point.
 
Eventually, Monsieur Du Champe arrived and seeing the scene unfold, stepped in to diffuse the escalating argument between the boys. After hearing both sides of the story, the man decided that Jean be given the horse - for the wager had been won, fairly. Incandescant, Reynald stormed off to inform his father of events, and no doubt, beg a new horse of him too.
 
Later that day, Jean spotted the young Reynald trudging miserably beside his father's horse during a procession to the Royal Palace. He caught the nobleman's eyes and grinned. Reynald simply glared back at him in impotent rage.
 
Sponsored into the Musketeers by the Breton Du Champe family it is unclear if they did this as a spite to Reynald or if they saw something in the young man.
 
Jean otherwise is streetwise, witty and often adds unnecessary flourishes and extravagance to his movements in battle in an effort to spread his reputation and add to his growing army of female admirers.
 
Selected for numerous special assignments for the Musketeers, Jean felt he was something of a "Special Forces" soldier, fighting for the King of France. He revelled in the status, and never held back in boasting about his qualities, and the dangers he had faced and overcome.
 

The Night Witch of Cholet and the Woad King;

 
Initially, striking up a friendship with Leonie Chameleon - Jean helped defend the French camp near Cholet from attacking Werewolves, sought the White Witch of Cholet and defeated her followers. Ambushed a Spanish patrol in a nearby village and helped to revive Leonie following an ambush by large sacs of giant spiders.
 
Arriving at the French camp, Jean reported to his superior officer, a fierce man named Monsieur De Treville. It was here that he met what would become one of his closest friends apart from Maximillian and Luc - the Queen's Musketeer's representative; Léonie Caméléon . He bowed and introduced himself before De Treville ordered him to spend some time with the recruits and take them through some drills.
 
A little unsure of what actual drills he was supposed to demonstrate for these soldiers, Jean had no idea. He trudged away to his duty regardless.
 
It was late evening as the camp was readying for bed that the werewolves attacked. They streamed in like shadows from all directions, swarming the defences and annihilating the sparse nightwatchmen. Springing to action and taking up his rapier with glee, Jean heard his chance to earn fame and recognition among the clamour of battle outside his tent. He quickly strapped up his boots and stalked out into the camp.
 
 

The Chevalier De Fer and the Incident at the King's Ball;

 
On his second assignment with the Musketeers, Jean was enjoying some well-earned rest and relaxation. He was visiting his favourite, Melisandre at La Petticoat when the owner of the premises screamed his name across the bar room. Much to Jean's surprise.
 
 

The Road to Cerbere and Injury;

 
At the beginning of his most recent assignment, Jean led a Welshman named Cadwallon and a rookie musketeer named Corentin down into the crypts below Paris with a scholar friend of the King's who believed he had located some ancient treasures. Jean, utilising his experience from his past assignments, took on a leadership role for the expedition and despite coming up against a trio of fierce were-rats, the group emerged victorious and had kept the scholar safe.
 
Buoyed by his success, Jean eagerly departed for the next assignment in Cerbere. He would help his comrade Oscar, a rather odd Welshman and his new friend Corentin to locate Oscar's father and a missing army of 16,000 soldiers.
 
Jean, also known as the Dandy with Nine-lives, unfortunately took a wound from a were-rat along the road to Cerbere, and he was forced to abandon the assignment and return to Du Champe estate to recover.
 

The Call of La Belle France;

 
Jean, though his peak fighting days are over - resolves to become a mythical French 'Zorro' type of hero, and as his wound heals - he thought he would listen out for tales of wonder, or of innocents in danger and operate from the Du Champe estate to ensure France is never without a Hero!
 
However, his reveries were cut short as his transportation back to the Du Champe estate happened across a Musketeer party headed for the front to rendez-vous with Josephine Sabrina d'Foix's army. Jean, having not yet had the opportunity to resign his commission, and his wounds having sufficiently healed to allow him to participate in active manoeuvres (though not at full strength), was duty bound to accompany the unit.
 
Arriving at Marshall D'Foix's camp, he was greeted by the familiar sight of Léonie Caméléon and Alain Le Fevre, his old comrade from the Night Witch campaign. He greeted both warmly and set about preparing himself for the tasks ahead. Introducing the party to the rather strange, and almost barbarian Sebastian Servantien, he is interrupted by Leonie's lackey, Zachary, who brings them a summons to attend a meeting with the Marshall herself.
 
At the meeting, Marshall D'Foix explained the current situation in the field to the Musketeers. She laid out a map of a ford a few miles to the South and arrayed several pieces on the table to signify allied and enemy positions. Léonie Caméléon was to lead the Musketeer detachment as a shock arm against the Spanish positions on the other side of the ford. She was to be given two supporting units of French regulars under the command of the Captains Hubert Le Roy and Alfons Guitton and was to take the Spanish position. With these orders, the party was given leave to spend the evening as they saw fit and make ready to depart for the ford on the morrow.
 
Arriving at the ford, Leonie divided the armies into three divisions. The Musketeers would be led by Jean and form up in the centre, facing the ford. Sebastian and Hubert Le Roy would command the second unit, formed on the Eastern flank, and Leonie with Alfons formed up on the Western flank. They would attack at dawn, with Jean leading the Musketeers, Sebastian and Hubert with a unit of Regulars and Leonie and Alfons leading a second unit of regulars.
 
The battle plan agreed, Jean led the Musketeers out into the middle of the ford. In good order, the unit easily covered the open ground on the riverbank and positioned themselves among a number of jagged rocks within the river. With efficiency, the Musketeers readied their rifles and fired a devastating volley at the surprised Spaniards, causing a number of casualties and setting confusion among their ranks. The Spanish retreated from their position to regroup. Jean's men held fast on the ford to hold the path.
 
As the first volley from the Musketeers flew, Sebastian charged his regulars across the ford and engaged with the second Spanish unit on the southern flank of the Spanish line. He crashed into them. Seeing the confusion, Jean attempted to call out in broken Spanish for the enemy to surrender, retreat or lay down their arms. However, his linguistic efforts fell short and clearly had no effect. With the battle appearing to be in favour of the French, a deep, penetrating hum pierced the air. The French forces raised their hands to their ears and screamed in pain as the red sonja and vibrations devastated their senses.
 
Regaining their composure, the French looked on astonished as fallen Spanish forces began to rise from the dead, wounds closing up leaving gnarled patches of skin. The undead Spanish forces took up their arms once again and renewed the attack on the forces under Sebastian and Jean.
 
Holding fast in the river, Jean kept the Spanish troops at bay. He barely had time to register the fact that the rapier (La Fiete du Champe - "The Pride of Du Champe") given to him by his adoptive father Monsieur Du Champe , made with cold steel, appeared to permanently kill these undead foes. Those slain by the Hero of France did not rise again. Jean screamed to Boniface, his one-armed lackey to signal Leonie to call the retreat. She must have seen the signal, and soon after the drums and trumpets sounded the retreat.


 


Leonie explained that the Musketeers would secure a safe path of retreat for Marshall d'Foix. Sebastian volunteered to take his bear and attempt to distract and divert a number of Spanish troops to ease the pressure on the Marshall's position. Jean, not one to be outdone - volunteered himself to take the message to withdraw to Marshall D'Foix herself. He took his one armed lackey with him, and set off through the fighting like a cat, wending its way across the rooftops of Paris.
 
The two men arrived at the Marshall's position in relatively good order, and found her unit still fighting strongly and in good health. He explained the plan to extract the ladyship from the battle to regroup and renew their strength. Orders relayed, he took up the rapier given to him by his adoptive Papa and joined the fighting.
 
As he struck down his enemies before him, Jean caught a glimpse of a cart laden with gunpowder within the makeshift courtyard of the Marshall's tent. Throwing his spare 'cold steel' rapier to Boniface, he sped towards the cart, removed a barrel and its cork and kicked it so that it began rolling towards the rushing enemy soldiers leaving a thick trail of the deadly powder in its wake. With the camp ablaze, he had no trouble finding a brand with which he lit the trail at his feet and quickly ran back to the safety of the French position.
 
The explosion was glorious, and a worthy action for the Hero of France. The rushing Spanish forces took heavy casualties with many of the troopers losing limbs as they were flung far across the field. This gave the French unit the brief reprieve that they needed and as one, they forced their way out of the command post and onto the path leading to the camp's Eastern exit.
 
As Jean and the French troopers fought a running battle with pursuing Spaniards, they arrived at a turn in the road and found Leonie - a welcome sight, readied on either side of the road with her remaining forces. With one raise of her arm, the Musketeers fired a devastating volley at Jean's pursuers. Opening a gap between the two forces, the French quickly sped away to safety.
 
Once safely extracted from the fighting, the party found a cart on which to place the exhausted Marshall D'Foix. As they laid her down, she muttered something about needing to return to Paris, and consult with the Comte De Bourdain . The memory of the man, and his saving of Leonie sent a shiver down Jean's spine. Exhausted himself, he yawned long as he trudged along with the company behind the cart.
 

The Road back to Paris;

 

(Boniface to the Rescue)

 
 
After several monotonous hours trudging along the highway to Paris. Jean was snapped from his reverie by the sounds of alarm. He turned his head to look at the commotion behind him and saw Sebastian, beside his bear as always, waving his arms and pointing towards the hedgerows that lined the highway and diverged at the approaching crossroads.
 
Sighing, he paid the strange man no mind and returned to keeping himself awake by discussing the battle just fought and his brave actions in saving the Marshall d'Foix.
 
The arguments to investigate the hedgerow grew, and Jean groaned audibly. Weary and irritated by the constant need of his companions to divert from the objective at hand. Jean signalled to Boniface to keep an eye on the situation for him, and the one-armed man trotted his horse back to the crossroads to watch the animated half-German and his bear sniff at the leaves.
 
The German had now taken out his musket and was pointing it menacingly at these apparently dangerous branches and foliage. Boniface rolled his eyes as he approached the bush and heard a faint voice calling out for help from beyond. The strange little mimic came beside him to listen and Boniface alerted his colleagues of the voice. He took out his sword and began hacking away at the hedge - trying to cleave his way through to the other side. Bertrand, mimicked slashing at the branches beside him, no doubt thinking he was helping.
 
Once he had cut himself a large enough gap to squeeze through, Boniface pushed himself through the hedge and emerged in a large, tranquil field of blossoming sheaves of wheat. A world away from the battle he had just escaped. He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath. Opening them again, his eyes spotted a solitary tree in the centre of the field. The voice called out again, weakly. Boniface jumped as the wet nose of the German's bear brushed passed his hand and once he had composed himself - set off in the direction of the tree. As he approached, he called out and received another weak response. Arriving at the clearing beneath the tree he was shocked to see blood everywhere, fresh and glistening.
 
The man explained his name was Loic, a Frenchman that was part of Urbain de Maillé-Brézé 's force supporting Marshall D'Foix. Their army had been attacked by the same undead Spaniards as their own. Loic's party was ambushed here in this field on their route back to Paris by a Spanish patrol. Loic, such was the state he was in, was the only "survivor".
 
Boniface questioned the man, suspicious of his story and circumstances. However, he agreed to take the man back to the roadside and assist him in returning to Paris. The man's intelligence may prove useful yet. Thankfully for the one-armed man, the bear, Granola, had arrived and was busy sniffing the blood around the area. Boniface slung the injured Loic onto her back and led them both back to the hedgerow.
 
As he arrived back at the entrance he had cut for himself, he found Sebastian frantically trying to squeeze through the gap and calling out his pet's name. Boniface saw the German's expression darken as he spotted the him arriving with a wounded man slung on the bear's back. He led them all back out onto the highway.
 
Meanwhile, at the head of the column, Jean and Leonie were snapped from their reverie by the jingling of bells as Bertrand Le Strange approached. He began miming a series of actions and pointing back in the direction of the crossroads. Leonie, immediately concerned, discussed with Jean whether they should turn back.
 
Not willing to risk the health of their high-born wounded, and certainly too tired to embroil himself in yet another conflict - Jean volunteered to take the reins of the cart and continue on to Paris. Leonie would turn back with Bertrand to investigate.
 
The next thing Jean knew, the bushes and hedges around him began rustling fervently. Experiencing a flashback to the dark day in the forest when they encountered the Comte de Bourdain - he instinctively drove the horses on, gathering pace and hurrying to reach Paris safely. Seeing great sacks of the same spiders as before explode from the undergrowth behind him, he drove the horses on to greater speed. Briefly turning his head, he caught a glimpse of the waning Marshall D'Foix in the bed of the carriage. He screamed over the clamour for two of her guards to cover her with their cloaks and use a second to staunch the bleeding from her wound. Expertly, he steered the cart steadily away from the danger and away down the highway.
 
Back at the crossroads, Sebastian had angrily questioned Loic and left him in a near state of unconsciousness. Hearing the rustling from the bushes draw ever nearer, Sebastian leapt onto his horse and rode away. Leaving Boniface and the now unconscious Loic to fend for themselves. Summoning up all of his strength with his one good arm, Boniface slumped the man across his horse and mounted, just as a sackful of spiders burst out onto the highway.
 
Quickly, he drove his horse down the highway after Sebastian. A short distance along, he caught a glimpse of Sebastian approaching Leonie and Bertrand and the three of them immediately turned and ran from the spiders behind him. He deftly avoided a number of them and galloped desperately along the highway. As the sun began to ease itself into the sky, the spiders began to slow. He rode straight for the clearing he had seen Leonie and her companions enter and joined them for a brief respite.
 

The Return to Paris

 
The party regrouped a short distance from Paris, and the remainder of the journey passed uneventfully. Jean handed the reins of the cart over to one of the Guardsmen and got back on his own horse to ride back into the City.
 
As they entered, they were mobbed by a crowd of citizens begging news of relatives and friends from the frontlines. Word of the defeat had clearly arrived back to Paris before them. His pride wounded at the memory of the loss, Jean strode onwards through the crowd. It was only when he faintly heard a familiar voice calling out his name that he was snapped from his reverie.
 
It was Melisandre. He scanned the crowd looking for her and he beamed madly as his eyes met hers. He skipped over to her and embraced her, swinging her in a circle as he did. They shared a warm kiss before Jean gave a brief recount of events to her, and of his heroics of course. Melisandre laughed and hugged him tightly once more as she began to turn and make her way back to La Petticoat. There were some unpaid bar tabs with Jean's name on them waiting eagerly to be settled, she joked as she dashed off through the crowd.
 
Grimacing at the thought, but laughing and unable to wipe the besotted look from his face, he returned to the party. After a brief verbal jousting with Leonie, she explained she would like to conduct a de-briefing of their mission in the Queen's Musketeers barracks later that evening. Jean, groaning at the thought of a meeting after the last few days, protested and begged Leonie to at least let them take a bath to refresh themselves first. She agreed and the Musketeers departed for the barracks. The wounded were transported on the cart to the surgery.
 
Feeling suitably refreshed, though still a little sore (especially around the ribs), Jean made his way to the Queen's Musketeers barracks for the meeting. He made sure to grab Boniface, from his 'friendly' game of cards with Alain as he left. Once gathered, Leonie began the briefing.
 
She began explaining her suspicions regarding the magicians they saw with the Spanish army and the prospect they were using 'Philosopher's Stones' to raise the dead and determine the course of battle. Jean felt his blood run cold, as the image of the Comte De Bourdain reviving Leonie flashed once again into his mind. He stiffened noticeable as Leonie continued.
 
Her next sentence was interrupted as she noticed the imposing figure of Captain Eloise Desmarais in the darkened doorway of the briefing room. She stammered briefly, and invited the Captain in. The atmosphere, Jean thought, had changed considerably with her appearance. He felt a reprimand was coming.
 
Captain Desmarais admonished Leonie for calling a briefing without inviting her, especially concerning matters so grave. She picked at the indiscretion slightly longer than was necessary, Jean thought, but Leonie bore the verbal assault well. After Captain Desmarais had finished making a show of reprimanding Leonie, she invited his friend to continue with her suppositions.
 
Somewhat flustered now, Leonie stumbled on her first few sentences. Jean made out something regarding a book that might hold further information regarding the magic used against them and the source. Though she finished by adding that the book had surely been moved from the location in which she had last seen it, possibly even destroyed.
 
It was then that the German, Sebastian spoke up. The man was clearly fascinated by this talk of magic, and appeared un-fazed by the recent events. Jean didn't know whether the man was simply brave, or stupid. The German began to question Leonie's comments regarding the book, and why she was so sure it would no longer be where she had said. The tone seemed accusatory, though Sebastian took great care to state his respect for Leonie's position and experience, it did not sound convincing though.
 
As the interrogation continued for a few moments longer, Jean had heard enough and was keen to hear what Leonie had planned next. He smoothly interjected his way into the conversation and asked Leonie to brief them on her plans to investigate this matter further.
 
Thanking Jean with her eyes for bringing the questioning to an end, Leonie explained that she intended to travel to the Comte du Bourdain's estate to discuss the matter with him. Her previous experience of the gentleman, and his reputation would surely lead to further clues as to the power and weaknesses of these magics. Captain Desmarais cut in to remind her of the Comte's position regarding the favour of the King. His advice would likely not be held in high regard by the King, nor would Leonie, should she follow his advice and find it incorrect.
 
Understanding the warning, but remaining steadfast in her decision, Leonie affirmed the plans. Captain Desmarais agreed that under the circumstances, this seemed a sensible decision and bade them luck. Jean, sensing the two had more to discuss, brought the briefing to an end and hurried himself and the others from the briefing room. He closed the door behind him to leave Leonie and the Captain alone.
 
As he made his way back to the barracks, Jean took Boniface to one side and ordered him to keep an eye on Sebastian. He was suspicious of the man's questioning of Leonie and insatiable interest in magic. He also disliked the slightly accusatory tone of his questions to Leonie, though the former reason sounded more official. He sent the one-armed man off into the streets of Paris and departed to La Petticoat for an ale.
 
As Sebastian made his way to the less savoury areas of Paris, Boniface made sure to keep a good distance between them. He watched as Sebastian shook down a rough looking man who, clearly frightened, gave up some information to the German. As he made ready to follow them onwards, Boniface's buckler disturbed a pile of wooden crates and sent them crashing to the ground before him. He did what he could to remain hidden, but was sure that he had been seen. Sebastian did nothing else worthy of note, and soon returned to the barracks.
 
Back at the barracks, Boniface went to his bunk to get some rest. He made a half-hearted effort to look for Jean to report to him before retiring but heard he had gone out. He trudged over to his bunk and slumped onto the fabric.
 
A few moments passed, and half-asleep, Boniface thought he had heard the faint jingling of bells. He paid it no mind, and placed his forearm across his eyes. Another few moments passed and he felt a strange sensation, as though he were being watched. He waited to see if the ill-feeling passed, but it remained. After three or four minutes, he sat bolt upright and jerked back suddenly as he saw the face of Bertrand Le Strange staring sternly at him.
 
Boniface, unsettled, angrily questioned the mimic sat in front of him. He demanded to know the meaning of this strange behaviour. He grew more frustrated as the mime simply gestured in response to his questioning, nodding or turning his head. He tried to punch the mime, but the bells from his hat hit him on the bridge of the nose as he advanced, and the wily mime turned his head sharply.
 
Eventually, Sebastian intervened and took the mime away. He was whispering clandestinely in the short man's ears as he pulled him away. Confused by the events, Boniface returned to a disturbed sleep.
 
As morning broke, the party mustered near the stables to ready themselves for the journey to visit the Comte du Bourdain. They readied their packs and departed the City in good spirits. As they followed the highway towards a nearby forest, A warning sounded as a group of horsemen, riding fast towards them was spotted in the distance. Warily, Jean ordered Boniface to turn his horse and ride to meet them to enquire as to their business while he himself rode on to the edge of the woods and reared his horse to watch proceedings unfold.
 
A few tense moments passed as the riders approached each other. From his position, Jean saw clouds of smoke flare from the approaching group, in the confusion he noticed Boniface quickly rear his horse. Putting his fingers to his mouth, Jean whistled as loudly as he could and wheeled his arm in the air to call back his lackey.
 

The Journey of Discovery

Boniface fell from his horse before Jean could even lower his hand. His mouth dropped open in panic as he saw the pack of horsemen approach his prone lackey. He spurred his steed back towards the rest of the party to look on as the first of the horsemen dismounted and approached the fallen Boniface. He rode up behind the party and looked on helplessly.
 
Boniface, groaning as he tried to lift himself onto his single elbow. His lungs burned as he gasped for air. The sun struck his eyes as he saw a dark figure appear over its light. As his eyes adjusted, the shadow became a rather beautiful woman clad in black. Her features were soft, but her demeanour hard. Boniface did what he could to shuffle away slightly as she stared down at him.
 
The lady apologised for the zeal of her bodyguards. She looked behind him at the party further along the road. Appearing, for the first time, to notice they were a party of Musketeers. The lady once again apologised and softened Boniface's stance towards her with honeyed words. She introduced herself as Madame D'Orleans. She was travelling with her bodyguard back to her estates in Orleans to visit her Papa, or so she claimed. She begged permission to ride along with the Musketeers, for protection, and company. Boniface attempts to bluff her that they are on a training exercise, and may only be able to
 
Slightly puzzled and suspicious of the apparent noblewoman, as she helped him to his feet, he agreed to ride back to his party and make the Lady's request to his superiors. He slowly got back onto his horse and began to gently ride away, picking up the pace as he enlarged the distance between himself and the odd woman and certainly not risking a rearward glance.
 
As he rode back, it finally dawned on him to check himself for injury following the shot he received only moments ago. He threw the reins of the horse between his teeth and used his one hand to pat himself down and check for bloodstains. A graze. He sighed deeply, thankful the wound was not fatal. He risked a glance back at the strange horsemen behind him as he reached his companions.
 
Leonie decides to speak to Madame Marie D'Orleans herself, Jean interjects with his reluctance to have them join the party, having shot at a lone horseman riding towards them. As Leonie rides towards them, she senses a strong aura and a sense of familiarity passes over her as she meets the gaze of Madame D'Orleans. She has seen this woman before. The feeling the sensed was akin to the one she felt as they assaulted the Night Witch's fortress at Cholet.
 
They exchange pleasantries, and the Madame attempts to brush off Leonie's recognition of her as coincidence, since she was a guest at the King's Ball in Paris. Leonie doubts her story, but continues the exchange regardless. Reluctantly, she agrees to allow the lady and her party to travel with them. She does however, request the lady's men ride several paces behind them due to their, inexperience - she added smoothly.
 
The Lady returned to her party to discuss with her two lead guardsmen (Jacques and Marco), Leonie trotted her horse back to the party to explain the situation. Jean turned his head in disappointment, and sighed that they would once again be delayed on their journey. As he looked away, he failed to notice branches and vines speeding their way towards the group and before he had even realised anything was amiss, his legs were bound. He looked back down the road and saw Lady D'Orleans' band charge towards them, bloodthirsty looks in each of their eyes.
 
Three of Marie's guards closed on Leonie, now at the head of their party. Jean watched as she cut down the first as he entered her reach and expertly deflecting attacks from the other two. They move in closer and Leonie suffers a glancing wound from a sword blow. Jean, drawing his Papa's rapier struggled desperately to break free of his bonds and aid his comrade - but he was stuck fast.
 
As the battle grew around him, he saw Sebastian cut down an enemy with his rapier in front of him, as the party struggled against their bonds and their attackers. An enemy approached Jean, who was doing his best to make his struggle against the vines seem more desperate than it was, and swung his longsword towards Jean. Using his dancer's agility, Jean simply ducked and swivelled at the hips to dodge the blow, the momentum snapping his bonds. The man tries to slice at Jean again, and succeeds in breaking his guard. Thankfully for Jean, the blow merely winded him and no lasting damage was done. As he grappled with his attacker, he saw Sebastian break free from his bonds and turn to face the enemies rushing at Leonie and their companions.
 
Forcing enough distance between himself and his attacker, Jean moved his rapier smoothly through the air, probing his foe for a weakness. He slashed twice in quick succession at the man. The first meeting his opponents sword and deflecting the man's guard while the second was a sweet thrust through the man's stomach. Blood gurgled from the man's mouth as Jean pulled his blade free and danced away from the mass of vines and the melee. In one smooth, flowing motion, he span, sheathed his rapier and drew his carbine rifle. He took to one knee as he took aim at the melee.
 
Boniface, still bound, eviscerates an enemy advancing towards the bloodied Zacharie, the force of the blow nearly cutting the man clean in two. Bertrand tried his best to swing his knife at an enemy bounding towards Leonie and missed. Leonie, facing yet more foes, parries blows from two of them and misses with a swift riposte as they pulled back. She presses forward against them as they backed away and slays one with a firm cut to the neck. She slashes fiercely at the other, bringing him down beside his comrade. She turns to the Lady D'Orleans and stares at her through blood-soaked eyes.
 
Jean, still unable to safely pick out a mark in the melee, sees the area covered in vines explode in a burst of flames as the Lady D'Orleans cast a spell at the half-bound party. He heard cries of pain through the roar of the flames and looked on as his comrades fell in agony to extinguish the flames.
 
Seizing the opportunity, Jean pulls the trigger and lets a round fly towards a blinded enemy, shielding his eyes from the blast before him. The bullet struck true and the man fell with a thud to the ground. Boniface, his bonds now burned away and summoning the last of his strength, hacks and brings down another fleeing foe and strides across the embers to Leonie's aid. Bertrand, looking up from the ground is able to weakly give Boniface a thumbs up, emboldening him as he approaches the Lady's final hired sword. He cuts him down, stone-faced and stares blankly at the retreating Lady and her two bodyguards.
 
Leonie, whose bonds had not been burned away in the flames, succeeded in hacking herself free and resisted every urge to chase after the treasonous woman. She turned back to her friends and seeing none in a critical condition - set about bandaging them up as best she could. In the meantime, she and Jean discussed their next course of action. They would ride on to the Comte Du Bourdain's estate, seek safety and recuperate.
 
With the exception of a few bandits, whom Jean and his companions effortlessly drive away, the journey to Bourdain is uneventful. The Party arrives as the Comte's estate. Jean, shivering at the memory of the place, suggests that he and Leonie enter alone. The others should wait with the horses.
 
Greeted by Rui, the Comte's cheery butler, Jean and Leonie enter the Comte's palace and help themselves to refreshments. Rui advises them that the Comte is in his study and that they should attend him there. Nodding, the two of them stepped towards the study door. The pair of them entered at the same time, though once across the threshold, Jean found himself in a room that was the exact image as his Papa's study. Glancing deeper into the room, he even saw his Papa's form hunched over his desk, staring, as always at some documentation or other. Confused, he looked around for signs of Leonie - but she was not there.
 
As he fixed his eyes back upon the form of his Papa, the door behind him slammed shut.
 
Slightly confused, Jean called out to his Papa. "Papa, is that you? Why are you here?"
His Papa laughed, why shouldn't he be there? It was his office after all. Jean's brow furrowed as he tried to make sense of the situation. "Then why am I here, Papa?" he stammered.
Monsieur Du Champe only laughed again in response. He did not know. Jean was always coming in and out of the study for various reasons. "Is everything alright Jean?" he asked, with a sligh hint of concern in his voice.
 
Jean tries to explain that he thought he was at the Comte du Bourdain's estates, and had in fact just entered the Comte's study only to find himself here. His Papa turned and began angrily questioning him about his relationship to the Comte and their previous dealings. Unsure whether his father would respond positively to being told of Leonie's resurrection, he was able to convince his father that nothing sinister had occurred.
 
Monsieur Du Champe, appearing content with the tale, turned back to the bookshelf and examined it a while. The next thing, Jean heard the swell of voices chanting his name, the cacophony growing ever louder outside the study's bay window. Looking again questioningly at his father, Jean saw a smile curl up in the corners of his father's mouth. They were here for him, he learned. Supporters, fans and worshippers of the Hero of France. Stunned, Jean stumbled to the window and looked out upon a growing throng of bodies.
 
Breathing in the sight of the crowd, Jean barely noticed as he next found himself on the King's Balcony overlooking the central square of Paris. Seeing their hero emerge from the doors the crowd drove itself to a near frenzy as he raised his arm in thanks. The experience gave Jean a high like he had never experienced. Drunk of the adoration, he leaps a little as his Papa places a hand on his shoulder.
"This could all be yours if you would only say 'Yes', Jean." his Papa said, almost whispering.
 
Doubtful that someone such as he would ever attain such levels of fame - and believing that he had already exhausted his lifetime of luck simply by being adopted into Du Champe's family, he argued that he would earn this future, and this glory for himself. The Hero of France could not be handed his legacy on a plate, it was not befitting.
 
His Papa laughed long as Jean's prideful response. His expression suddenly turned grave, and he warned his adopted son that even accepting this glory now, would not come without its sacrifices. He turned and walked back into the palace from the balcony.
 
Following his Papa in, Jean finds himself now in a sumptuous bedroom stuffed with the finest of trappings. Ornaments, tapestries, portraits and jewels decorated every corner of the room. He pleads, childlike, to his father's back to allow him to return to the present to fight his own battles. Becoming now slightly annoyed, Monsieur Du Champe convinces Jean to at least meet with "her", the woman who could grant him his wishes, before making his decision. Jean accepts.
 
As Jean walks along the corridor, deeper into what he now realised was his own palace, he glances out at the magnificent gardens he now owned. He had almost missed the feature entirely, when his eyes suddenly fixed upon a dolmen, stood out upon a lonely knoll among the hedgerows. He refrains from asking his Papa about it and continues on through the corridor and through a grand set of double-doors.
 
Emerging into the throne room of Paris, the hall of the King of France, Jean turned in shock as Melisandre, dressed in an exquisite gown and looking more fabulous than he could ever have imagined brushed passed him and took her place on the Queen's throne. Smiling broadly at him, she patted the seat of the throne next to hers and beckoned him to sit. Jean, still confused as to his exact position in this dream, barely avoided insulting the gathered nobles there to petition him and blustered his way passed the social faux pas.
 
He hears a petition from a Lord of Brittany, concerned with raiding English pirates attacking his coast. Jean agrees to send them aid, and now beginning to enjoy his new responsibilities, suggested he may even join his forces on the frontlines.
 
Excited at the prospect of further renown, Jean called upon the young nobleman he had nearly insulted moments before, and bade him to complete the business of the day by hearing the remaining petitions. He turns to his Papa, his memory of the dolmen flashing in his mind, and asks about the curious structure. Wordlessly, his Papa beckoned he follow him once again out into the hallway.
 
Now appearing to take on the role of a concerned courtier, his Papa asks whether the structure is not to his liking and offers to have it demolished as per the King's wishes. Jean, declining this somewhat extreme measure, agrees to leave it standing.
"She will be pleased" is the response offered by his Papa.
 
Outside, Boniface, Bertrand and Zacharie were left somewhat bemused as Sebastien disappeared into a hedge with a strange man who had appeared from behind the Comte's estate. Bertrand, attempting to follow his master, sped towards the hedge and crashed against it, winding up on his back looking dazed and confused. Zacharie helps him up and walks the mimic back over to Boniface in the stable. He suggests they explore the grounds, given the strange goings on.
 
Bertrand and Boniface argue over whether patrolling such a strange place was a good idea. Boniface raging while Bertrand mimed responses as quickly and furiously as he could. Becoming more frustrated at the mime's sometimes incomprehensible signals, he lines up to try and punch the little mime. Sadly, for the second time, Boniface fluffs his blow and misses the strike completely. He tumbles to the floor, losing his balance without a second arm. Zacharie arrives to offer him a hand up, and he reluctantly accepts. As he gets to his feet, Zacharie and Bertrand begin to set off on a patrol around the building.
 
The odd trio see nothing of interest as they trotted around the building. Zacharie peered inside a window to see Jean and Leonie talking to an unfamiliar man before a roaring fireplace - and seeing their master's safe, thought nothing more of it. Zacharie then suggested they try to locate Sebastien. Bertrand's hatbells rang loudly as he nodded his agreement excitedly.
 
Jean, left alone now in the corridor as his father attended some other business. He snuck out into the garden to inspect the odd looking burial chamber. He peers into the hole in the ground at the rear of the structure and traces the curling steps with his eyes. He jumps again as his Papa places his hand upon his shoulder again. Monsieur Du Champe attempts again to convince him to stay in this reality as the Hero he deserves to be. Having made up his mind, Jean tells his father how he feels. Explaining his happiness at being adopted into the Du Champe family, and how he would repay the faith shown in him with his own powers. He promised to bring fame and fortune to the family name and honour the name of his father. He saw a wan smile cross his father's lips as tears began to stream from his eyes. With a knowing nod, which Jean returned, he watched his adopted son descend into the cavern beneath the dolmen.
 
At the bottom of the staircase, Jean enters a room with three pathways, including his own, leading to it. As he enters the room with a raised dais in the centre, he sees Sebastien and Leonie at the entrances to the other two. passages. He calls out to them both, relieved to see them safe.
 
Their reunion is short lived, as the Night Witch of Cholet shimmers into existence in the centre of the dais in the centre of the room. She begins a very persuasive diatribe, offering them all they desire if they only agree to stay and learn from her. She mentioned she trained the Comte himself, leaving Leonie intrigued enough to agree to remain with her. Jean, appalled, pleads with Leonie to reconsider. How could one such as she not see that things too good to be true could not possibly be real? Despite his best efforts, Leonie seemed determined to stay.
 
Jean's feelings clear, the Night Witch turned her attention to Sebastien who to Jean's surprise, exploded at the ethereal woman. He snarled his way through a speech accusing her of toying with people's feelings and how she could have the front to expect their cooperation and friendliness after such heartless treatment. Eventually, his rage boils over, and he attempts to punch the woman in the face. He feels no connection as his hand passes through the woman's features. Only a sense of calm washes over him.
 
He continues with his tirade, and the Night Witch smiled. She smiles warmly at him and begins to congratulate the party. They had passed her test, resisted temptation. Leonie's friends had done enough to ensure her safety. With that, both she and her surroundings began to fade away leaving the heroes in a field before the very same dolmen where they had first met the Comte before.
 
A little confused, Jean looked around to see only Leonie was with him. Sebastien was nowhere to be found. In his daze, he spotted the spires of the Palace of Bourdain beyond the trees, possibly a mile or more to the South. He challenged Leonie to a race to the top of a nearby hill. She obliged, as was her competitive nature and the two hared off towards the palace. Boniface and Zacharie, stood nearby with the horses, looked on confused as their paymasters sprinted off away from them.
 
As Jean extended the gap between himself and Leonie he whooped as he reached the top of the hill a good few minutes before her. Between large gulping breaths, he made a quick joke about being more aerodynamic than her and his face dropped as Boniface and Zacharie rode into view leading their horses.
"We could have been riding them this whole time?" He asked Boniface as he arrived. He grumpily stalked over and snatched the reins of his horse from his lackey. He and Leonie mounted up, with Leonie taking Zacharie's horse from him and forcing him to run alongside her leading the second horse, and rode the rest of the way to the Palace in good time.
 
When they arrived, they met the Comte's erstwhile servant Rui. Looking a lot more gaunt than he had in their 'visions' at the Dolmen. He states that the party is early. Jean questions how he could have known of their arrival, and Rui replies simply 'by Semafore of course, from Paris.'
 
Jean sends Boniface and Zacharie to the stables to tend the horses and await further instructions and follows Rui inside. He's lead out onto the veranda where Rui bids them both to sit while a rather buxom serving lady emerged with a flagon of wine and some glasses. They enjoy a few moments of peace and tranquillity, enjoying the quality of the wine when a loud banging noise began sounding from the corridor within. Startled, the two stared at the glass doors leading from the veranda to the hallway from which they had come. Jean signalled with his head that Leonie should inspect the source of the ominous noise.
 
As she neared the doors, the banging became louder and more frequent, almost like an increasingly erratic heartbeat. The next instant she flinched and ducked as the doors flung open and a strong gust of wind whistled past her and out into the garden. Jean, loosened La Fiete Du Champe in its sheath and leapt to his feet. Leonie, regaining her senses, Leonie peered around the doorway and saw a short, stout figure hunched over a cane held before him. The figure shook as he laughed a deep chuckle insterspersed with ragged coughing. "I see your senses haven't dulled in the months since you were last with us?" he boomed.
 
The Comte stroke out onto the Veranda. He spent some time enquiring of their exploits since their last visit. Jean explained all about his heroics in Paris, and at La Catele. He also explained the incident in which he was injured. He enquired as to whether the Comte may be able to heal him in some way. The Comte took a look at the wound and told Jean he would get back to him after he had a chance to think on it. Leonie then began to explain the incident at the Ford with the undead Spanish soldiers. She explains that she thinks it was the work of a Philosopher's Stone. Jean shuddered at the mention of the device. The Comte's expression darkened instantly and he angrily questioned Leonie as to her certainty. Leonie confirms her suspicions and explains the situation to him in detail.
 
The Comte sits back in his chair and muses. He states that it sounds like the Philosopher's Stone that belonged to a Torsten Kramer. He takes them through to his Library and the Comte mentions the Vihar which alerts Jean to the book he received from his Papa. He brings it up and passes it to the Comte to inspect. The Comte flicks through it and mutters a few phrases. 'La Confriere du Fer' he utters. Jean stares at the Comte at the mention of the name. Could they be related to the Chevalier du Fer, and Madame Du Orleans?
 
He decides to head out to the stables and challenge Boniface and Zacharie to a few games of cards. Hoping to win back the meagre wages the lackeys were paid. Rui emerged some moments later with a few flagons of wine for their enjoyment.
 
A few hours later, Jean returns inside with the empty flagons and a purse-full of coins. He finds Leonie and the Comte in his workshop. He shakes an empty flagon through the doorway and jokes that his well has run dry. The Comte sends Leonie to the wine cellar to fetch some more wine. Jean, while she is away, raises the topic of his most recent encounter with the Night Witch and his concerns that Leonie appeared so ready to accept her offer. He feared he may need to be the one to stop his friend before she did something despicable. He was conflicted, willing to overlook her apparent resurrection using ungodly magic, but he could not forgive her for dabbling in these arts herself. How could France be a Godly Kingdom with these dark arts being performed throughout her towns and villages.
 
The Comte waits a while before replying. He simply tells Jean that he must, emphasising the 'must', stop Leonie from making any bargains with the Night Witch - by any means. Jean's mood darkened at that, and he sat back in his chair awaiting Leonie's return.
 
Leonie arrives back from the cellar with some wine and whiskey for the Comte in hand. They sit in his study, drinking and chatting a while. Jean, a little suspicious and having lost his 'hwyl' - merely pretending to sip at his wine and awaited the call to retire to bed. Eventually, the Comte got up, leaning heavily upon his cane and suggested he would retire to his bed. He asked Rui to lead Jean and Leonie to their rooms and bade them good night.
 
Upstairs, Rui showed the pair their rooms. Jean's to the left of Leonie's. He approached the door and pretended to enter, bidding Leonie good night. He watched her disappear within and returned to the hallway. He sat himself down on the floor, resting against a plinth holding a bust of some long-dead relative and kept a careful watch on Leonie's door.
 
As the night wore on, Jean began to feel drowsy. He was on the verge of falling asleep when a bright flash of light lit the corridor from the small gap at the bottom of Leonie's door. Startled, Jean loosened his rapier in her scabbard and got to one knee. He heard an aggressive voice and a slight commotion emanate from Leonie's room and sprang into action, bounding towards Leonie's bedroom door. He drew his rapier and put his hand to the door handle. He tried it, but it was locked. He called inside to check that Leonie was alive when his attention was suddenly diverted as Sebastian appeared from the shadows at the far end of the corridor.
 
With little time to be surprised, or ask from where his companion had come, he quickly briefed Sebastien on the situation. As was his way, Sebastian immediately became enraged and drew his musket, blasting the handle and the lock from the door without hesitation. He put the gun back on his shoulder and the two of them entered Leonie's room. They were greeted by the sight of the Comte de Bourdain grasping her harshly by the shoulder and chanting at her. Leonie appeared to be writhing in pain at his touch and his words. She recoiled as the Comte squeezed her shoulder tighter. Sebastian once again drew his musket and aimed it at the Comte.
 
For a few moments, Sebastian threatened the Comte that he would shoot if she was not released, but the Comte was too entranced to respond. Jean, feigned backing Sebastian up, but readied his blade to cut down the strange half-German should he shoot the Comte in his own Palace. Jean knew the Comte was likely helping Leonie to expel the Night Witch from her mind, having noted how readily she agreed to submit to the Witch below the Dolmen. He eyed Sebastian warily as he worked himself up into a fury, shouting incessantly at the Comte without bothering to wait for a response and surely knowing he wouldn't receive one.
 
As Sebastian began shaking more and more furiously, the next thing Jean heard was a faint 'click' as the German pulled the trigger. He half-slashed at the air behind Sebastien, but stopped once he had realised the musket had not fired. The idiot had forgotten to reload it after shooting the lock from the door. Relieved, Jean lowered his blade and feigned support to Sebastian once again when he turned around.
 
Grumbing under his breath, Sebastian quickly set about reloading the musket. Jean watched, grinning as Leonie continued to suffer under the Comte's spell. As much as he wished to aid her, he knew the Comte's actions were in her best interest and he restrained himself. Sebastian was angrily questioning him as to his lack of action, but he paid the strange man no mind. He would kill him if he harmed the Comte, and ergo, Leonie.
 
Sebastian had finished loading his gun and returned to pointing it angrily at the Comte. Jean noticed Sebastian train the rifle on the Comte's right hand, in which he held Leonie's flintlock pistol and held it pointed menacingly towards her. The German would never make the shot to take the gun from the Comte's hand without harming him, and so Jean once again poised his sword to strike at the German should the old man come to harm.
 
Eventually, Sebastian had worked himself up again to the point that his musket discharged. Jean once again motioned his sword aggressively towards Sebastian, but caught a glimpse of the Comte behind him, his position unchanged. Jean let out a short sigh of relief at that, and was about to return to his performance of supporting Sebastian when he heard Leonie emit a piercing howl, and begin to shudder under the Comte's touch. Sebastian, dropping is gun, threw himself at the Comte and attempted to wrestle Leonie from his clutches. The Comte himself gave one final squeeze to Leonie's shoulder before releasing her and slumping back into the chair next to the bed. Leonie herself crumpled backwards onto the bed, glistening with a sheen of sweat. Jean crossed himself, and gave a short prayer for Leonie.
 
The Comte stirred after a short while, and stood. He briefly admonished Jean and Sebastian for their actions and shuffled out of the room towards his own bed. Sebastian follows the Comte out and attempts to chase him down for an argument.
 
Leonie admonishes Jean for his lack of action to save her, but he shrugs. If the Comte's magic has worked, Leonie will be herself again, and surely that was a good thing? He explained. Leonie however, did not see it that way and ordered him from her bedroom. Jean, happy to escape the situation, returned to his room.
 
In the morning, Jean is woken by a knock to the door. Rui, the butler informed him that breakfast would be served in 30 minutes. "Excellent", Jean though. He took off his nightclothes and prepared a bath for himself.
 
At breakfast, the atmosphere is frosty, with neither Jean nor Leonie having much to say to each other. Nevertheless, Jean partakes heartily of the food available. The Comte arrives and strikes up a conversation with Sebastian and Leonie, who thanks him for saving her. The Comte replies that he has merely given her a reprieve, and the Night Witch has not left her.
 

Back (again) to Paris;

 
Sebastian questions the Comte further over the remainder of breakfast, while the others begin their preparations for the journey back to Paris. Leonie elects to ride in the carriage with the Comte, while Jean and Sebastian rode their horses either side of it, barely sharing even a cursory nod. Jean knew that the Comte and his powers would be the key to defeating the Spaniards and the salvation of France, and he did not much trust this barbarian who had been so rude to the man the night before, to act quickly to preserve his life.
 
They journeyed on to the day's end and made camp with little further conversation passing. The evening too was calm and undisturbed, save for Sebastian's warning cry when a wild boar ventured too near the camp.
 
They set off early the following day, in the same formation as the day before. Leonie rode in the carriage with the Comte again, but at around mid-day, she disembarked and mounted her horse. She rode straight for Jean and trotted beside him awkwardly for a few moments. Wanting with all his being to ride on and be rid of his old, but now distant companion, he clenched his jaw and continued trotting his horse beside her. Eventually, she spoke. She asked Jean if he would kill her should she ever attempt to harm the Comte. Jokingly, Jean tried to make light of the talk by suggesting he may have been right after all, to allow the Comte to "help" her, the other night. Leonie handed over her Musket to him, and rode on.
 
As the last lights of the day began to dwindle in the sky, Sebastian alerted the party to an ambuscade on the road ahead. A volley of shot flew from the woods and the ridge to the left of the roadside. A large troop of bandits streamed from the forest and swarmed towards the cart carrying the Comte. Jean immediately sprang to action, drew La Fierte du Champe from its sheath and rode to the front of the cart to engage the enemy. He slashed furiously at the rushing bandits, slaying two of them easily, as Leonie rode up to join him. She brought down a further enemy but watched on as others streamed passed them and began assaulting the cart. Jean saw Rui bravely attempt to hold them off, and turned back to Leonie. She nodded, and took the reins of his horse as Jean stood on the saddle. He gracefully leapt from his horse to the cart and began his dance of death.
 
His footwork was blinding, as the bandits tried in vain to hack at his feet and legs as he span and jigged on the cart's roof. With a broad grin on his face, he flailed about with his rapier at the enemies, keeping them at bay in good order from the Comte. As he span again, he caught a glimpse of Leonie being dragged from her horse, but was relieved to see, as he twisted again, that she had recovered and renewed the fight. Sebastian, meanwhile had leapt with Boniface to the top of the ridge and began assaulting the bandits firing their muskets at his friends. Jean saw him easily lift one of the bandits and toss him towards a group of others, disrupting them as they reloaded their guns. "A fine effort." he thought.
 
Suddenly, Jean noticed two of the bandits struggling with the doors of the cart below him. He tried slashing at them to deter them and buy some time for others to engage them on the ground, but it was no use, they pulled the door of the cart open. Jean heard Rui behind him shout "Le Comte, NO!" as a bright flash erupted from the cart and sent the two bandits hurtling back towards the rocky face of the ridge. They exploded in a spray of blood as they smashed against the rocks. The cart became unsteady beneath Jean's feet as Rui lost control of the horses and they careered away. With no choice left, Jean leapt to the ground with a thud, winding himself in the process and unsteadily rolled back to his feet.
 
He watched on helplessly, as the cart, with Rui and the Comte aboard, crashed over the side of the cliff on the other side of the road and hurtled towards a tree and the river. He closed his eyes as he waited to hear the crash as the cart landed below. Opening them again, he felt inspiration strike him as Leonie drew up beside him, rapier flashing. She downed a bandit as he came towards them as Jean daintily stepped aside and began his Greater Dance Macabre. He span, flailed and pirouetted across the ground towards two incoming bandits and felled the two of them as he danced on by. More bandits had emerged on the ridge, some of them charged towards him and Leonie, while others continued firing upon Sebastian and Boniface upon the ridge.
 
Seeing his next chance, as Leonie strode forwards to engage more bandits, and not entirely trusting his comrades to come to the Comte's aid, he gracefully danced from rock, to branch as he picked his way down the cliff towards the Comte's carriage. Arriving at the bottom with a flourish, he saw the Cart was in no state to be fixed. However, from the corner of his eye, he saw a small boat land on the riverbank before him. About 20 metres away. As quickly as he could, he retrieved the crumpled form of the Comte from the cart and raised him up onto the halfway point of the cliff. He turned to see Madame du Orleans and her bodyguard disembarking from the boat and making their way menacingly towards him.
 
Unaware of what was happening above, Jean looked back once to check that the Comte was safe and wheeled his sword in his hand as the new enemy approached. Now was his chance to prove himself a hero, and if he could not, this was as good an enterprise to die trying to complete as any. He crossed himself and said a short prayer before steeling himself and dancing forth.
 
Outnumbered, he saw the enemy spread out around the Comte's cart, with each of the two Fontaine brothers lining up on either side. He sidestepped towards Jacques Fontaine, and danced by three of his guards, cutting them each down in turn. As he reached Jacques, his blade flashed and broke the man's guard. He felt La Fierte du Champe bite into the man's flesh, but saw no reaction in his foe's face as he skipped on. Seeing Madame du Orleans standing behind two further guards loading their muskets, he leapt backwards to put a little distance between them. As he did so, he was hard pressed by Jacques, who in a blood-rage, hacked away at him. It took all of his strength and agility to deflect the first flurry, but Jacques showed no signs of relenting. He continued to furiously hack away at the Hero of France's guard until he got his opportunity. He brought down his blade into Jean's shoulder and drove it deeper. Shouting out in agony as the blade collided with bone. His world went dark, and the Hero of France, clutching his prized rapier, crumpled to the ground.
 
As he faded, he heard the distant voice of Leonie, calling his name.
 

Investigation at Blois;

 
 
 
He came to shortly afterwards and found Leonie bent over him administering aid. He was alive. He slowly raised his hand and crossed himself. Thanking the Lord, he sat upright, aching, and thanked Leonie for saving him. She jibed that this was how he should have acted at the Comte's Palace when she was in danger. He accepted the barbs, and conceded that he should have done more.
 
Leonie briefed him on the situation. Madame de Orleans had fled with the Comte, but one of her deadly bodyguards lay dead. Rui the butler was grievously wounded so the group decided to strap him to one of the horses and head follow the river in an attempt to locate the Comte.
 
They followed the river along a ways until Jean stopped suddenly. He raised his hand and explained that they were approaching Blois. The domain of his nemesis Reynald. He advised them to approach with caution, and head straight for the local barracks to seek aid for Rui. They gathered what information they could on the whereabouts of the Comte but gained no valuable leads. Jean recalled that the Trident of Poseidon was located in Blois. Perhaps they could take the opportunity to procure it now, as they were here.
 
The party, along with the lackeys made their way to the Abbey of St Augustine and scoped out the grounds from without. They convened on a hillock nearby and concocted a plan of attack. After much deliberation, the party decided to launch a frontal assault on the grounds through the front gate. They massed nearby and prepared to rush in and catch the guards unawares.
 
Surging forward from the woods, they made short work of the two watchmen stationed at the guardhouse. Wasting no time, and in good order, the group fanned out inside the grounds and advanced. Two guards fired at them from a nearby building, but the groups return volley made quick work of the pair and the group moved forwards. Taking on another two guardsmen, they arrived in good order at a portcullis. Leonie's basic early reconnaissance led them to believe the statue of Poseidon lay in a fountain beyond these iron gates.
 
Taking up a defensive position around the Portcullis, the group shielded Leonie as she began working on a device to break through the gates. She fumbled with the powder and as she hastily set the device to the gates, it exploded. Injuring her gravely, those around her dived for cover. Jean and Sebastien immediately leapt to their feet and tried as best as their rudimentary skills would allow to staunch the bleeding and provide aid.
 
The group hurriedly changed their plans and decided to fall back to Blois. Picking Leonie up in his arms, Jean lead the party away to safety.
 

Illegality and Accusations;

 
 
Returning to Blois, the group managed to ensure Leonie's safety with the assistance of a doctor from the local Garrison. They left Leonie there for a brief while as they made enquiries throughout the city for further leads on the whereabouts of the Comte, and whether another way could be found to obtain the trident of Poseidon.
 
Jean, using his streetwise nous, was able to locate a likely building where black-market contacts and other unsavoury characters could be found. He returned to the Garrison to collect his companions and inform them of the location. An Inn on the Western side of Town.
 
Leading Leonie and Sebastien, along with Boniface to the Inn - Jean entered and went to the bar. He ordered a round of drinks and stood there sipping away at his ale. Eventually, the barkeep returned, and Jean struck up a conversation with him. Telling the man he was looking for someone who "could get things done around here, without worrying too much about the legality of such actions" and also, someone who might keep an eye on all the recent comings and goings from Blois.
 
The barkeep was happy to oblige when Jean began talking about his feelings towards Lord Reynald of Blois and his son and he led them to a side door. Telling Jean to ask for a Monsieur Molet, he pointed them down a corridor towards a closed door. "Marcel will let you through, tell him I sent you."
 
Following the barkeep's instructions, they passed Marcel and entered the den of iniquity below. Their eyes were drawn to a crude boxing ring in the centre of the floor, two combatants brutally exchanging blows to the cheers of the throng pressed outside the ring. The cacophony made it difficult for them to hear each other over the calls of bookmakers and answering shouts of punters. Jean, quite at home in these environs, led them through the crowd to a likely looking table guarded by two burly men in high class garb.
 
The larger of the two put his hand on Jean's chest to stop him as he tried to saunter through.
 
<TBC>
 

The Execution in Paris;

 
Assigned on Patrol at the execution of Duke Montoya and Lady D'orleans, Jean looked about the market square. Seeing things were all quiet, he quickly checked for his colleagues' and saw they were well positioned to survey the square. Seizing his opportunity, he quickly seized his chance and tried to sneak off towards La Petticoat for a sly drink.