#fenixtj

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Jessica went to RV for Thanksgiving Eve, stayed Thanksgiving day, then left early the day after Thanksgiving. She returned to get some crazy news...

"The Dragon and a mysterious figure in fireproof armor fought it out on the edges of the city. " Diego fills her in, "Both were wounded by the time our troops got there... and the dragon managed to get away by diving into the ocean..which we were not expecting, and the dark knight, who was probably a troll judging by his armor's height, vanished with some cantrip"

Jessica receives the news stone-faced, tightly controled. "Ok. Thank you, Diego."

"Sir Phobos and his brother demos are pissed. They didn'get there in time to beat sense into both, but in their defense they tried."

She nods. "I'll make a point to talk with them; I'm grateful they tried."

"They'll be in surly moods"

"Thank you for the warning."

He nods

And she will stop at the kitchens before seeking the redcap brothers.

Maria and Rosa seem to be in better spirits "Oh, Jessica, you are back. Wonderful. The meal with the children was lovely. Ellie carved the turkey like a pro"

"That's wonderful to hear." With a real smile " Could I get a large hamper of food? Um, quickly?"

"Anything in particular?" Maria asks

"Lots of protein, please."

THe two look at each other, "AH, Con Carne.. this is for the redcaps. " They have lots of extra turkey and ham left over and pile it on with a bag of sandwichs , for once making sure quantity exceeds quality even if the quality is still damn good

"Thank you." her natural strength more than handles the weight of the hamper; she heads out to see if she can find the brothers.

And she finds them... they're practicing on targets.. and by practice, we mean demolishing them

the practice dummies are beheaded, their 'entrails' removed...

Jessica sets the hamper down, and waits.

They curse in spanish.. fuss at each other...

and then look up "Yeah??" They both snap a bit

"Buenos Dias. Que tal?" (Good day; how's it going?)

"Muy Mal" Demos snorts

Phobos sighs "Disculpe, Comtessa, we fucked up. The Dragon and whoever fought her.. we were SO Close, but nada

"

"Have something to eat." She gestures to the HAMPER.

"Gracias" Phobos says, Demos? he's already digging in. It's like watchingg Hyennas tear apart a water buffalo that's been pre sliced

"Demos, Phobos.... I'd like to hear more about what happened, please."

"It was on the border of the city. Repors came in that a dragon was not only scene, but in a figghtt with a black knight"

"Yeah, we came in, fast as we could... but by the time we had, they had moved outt of the city towards the shore. They were both wounded... badly. the Dragon's snout was bleedinng badly... the knight's leg was fucked up. We yelled at them to stop.. and the dragon DIVED innto the sea.. we tried to see how far it wennt under water... but then ealized we'd lost the damn knight"

"I hear the knight was on the large side; tall?"

"Defintely a troll" Demos says "I took a lick of he fallen blood. Troll"

"That's a little disturbing, Demos, but I'll take it. Ok. No word of the dragon resurfacing? Did you interact with Tidemarch at all?"

"Yeah..he's got a ship searching for debris or sigghtinngs"

She nods "No word yet, though?"

They shake their head

"Ok. Look, guys.... you did what you could. I'm not disappointed or angry but I respect your own expectations for yourself. I'm glad you're not hurt. Thank you for what you did."

"We did SQUAT" Demos grouses

"Sorry, Counntess" Phobos says "But in redcap land you don't get points for trying"

"Look, this was intel we might not have had if not for you. Could you describe what the knight was wearing? Injuries to either or both of them? Where they were headed? What you overheard, if anything?"

"The Dragonn said something about her vegggeace..." Phobos ponders

Demos answers "The troll said somehinng about a warning having been given"

A sigh. "Did you notice where either was wounded?"

"Leg on the troll" PHobos says

'Dragonn had her muzzle CUT UP" Says Demos

Jess nods. "Ok, so she might have trouble eating and the knight could be limping. I'll get word out that any limping male trolls should come to Fenix."

"I've already had people looking over the general census to talk to all male trolls in the County."

She follows that with a faint, irritated look.

"Anyway. I'll get the word out."

"Oh... " Phobos says "We gave some of the blood on site to Tito-Wodenn. Hope that helps"