Trouble downstairs

The three of you move slowly down the stairs into the great hall below. As you pass through the banquet hall you automatically note that the candlesticks that line the room are at the very least plated with gold, and that two of the carved marble figurines that stand on pillars at the base of the steps appear to be early works of a master artist who is just now starting to gain some recognition. They'd be heavy and awkward to carry, but the matched pair would be worth as much as all the gold-plated candlesticks put together.

The old guard has led you almost as far as the doors on the far side of the room when they suddenly open and three more men in various states of undress stumble into the main room.

"Where the fuck have you been, Lykaios?" Demands a scowling swordsman with a flask in one hand and a cured sausage in the other. The man is older than you but not as old as Lykaios and is most notable for a ruddy scar that runs from his forehead across the bridge of his nose and half way down his cheek. Behind him you see a startlingly good looking young man wearing a simple tunic and with a knife at his waist instead of a sword, laughing with a final man who is dragging behind him a naked brunette by the wrist.

"Don't give him a hard time, Cyrus, he found some more cunts to keep us entertained." The handsome young peacock jokes easily and the two other guardsmen chuckle along with him. These were just the type of men who Orestes likes to employ, sadistic beasts eager to assist in his games. You wonder again how a seemingly basically decent man like Lykaios ended up with this bunch.

"That's Quintus!" Hisses softly Iola just behind you and her eyes are locked onto the handsome youth with unmasked anger. Perhaps he heard his name, because the well-built young man suddenly looks up and you see his eyes widen as he recognizes Iola.

"Damn! I gotta get me some of that!" He smiles wickedly and takes a step towards Iola. You consider trying to snap one of your throwing knives into the braggart's pale throat, but before you get a chance Lykaios steps between you blocking the angle.

"Naw, I don't think so young pup." Chuckles Lykaios easily as he gives the long-limbed young man staring at Iola's long legs a contemptuous sneer.

"Come-on old man." Quintus whines like a spoiled brat, "I brought her here, I want to feel that stuck-up bitch squealing as I fuck her tight pussy." What a difference between the grizzled old veteran, who in spite of his gruff manner treated Iola better than she could have ever hoped for, and this handsome young man who proves to be just as much of a rat as you had expected. Lykaios steps to less than a pace away from the young man and spits on the floor at his feet.

"You're just a damn rookie here - if that. If you lick my ass, you might get some of the leftovers." Expecting his taunt to sting the veteran steps back, smoothly avoiding the gleaming knife that suddenly appeared in Quintus' hand. The boy was fast, but your money is still on the man with experience.

Everyone is silent as the two warriors face off, even Iola. Lykaios now has his belt-knife in his hand too and with a mocking grin motions Quintus to try again. Taking advantage of the calm before the storm you pull Iola away from the flashing blades, you end up between the other two guardsmen who are watching the pair vying for the right to claim the lovely maiden. From this strategic location you do your best to look weak and inconsequential, as long as Lykaios keeps his back clear you'll be in position to intercede if either of the other two guards decide to jump in to aid Quintus.

At the moment the two are waiting to see what happens but Scar-face, is already slipping to your right perhaps in an attempt to flank your new-found ally. A grunt and flurry of motion brings your attention back to the main event. For an instant the pair had closed and locked arms but before Lykaios could use his heavier build to overpower the nimble opponent Quintus twists away leaving a thin line of blood on the older man's shoulder and bicep. You had felt confident that the experience and toughness of the veteran would be more than enough to handle the brash pretty-boy but it is now clear that Quintus is no stranger to the knife. You rest your hand gently on Iola's trembling shoulder in an attempt to reassure her but you had better start thinking of a plan Beta if Quintus bests Lykaios.

You really need Lykaios to finish off Quintus without taking much more damage, if the gruff veteran is disabled - even if he wins - that leaves you to face both of Orestes' guards on your own, if he starts losing you'll have to help deal with Quintus yourself and then face the other two without even the element of surprise.