I Will Not Serve A False King

[Sir Ruber]

Ruber frowned as they kept fighting. They kept going as their swords clashed. He was enjoying himself. Then suddenly the guy went on and on and he rolled his eyes. This guy certainly was a king.

"I never thought I'd say this but you talk to much." said Ruber.

He swung his sword but was taken by surprise as Hal was faster and slashed his right side. Ruber gasped staggering back clutching it in shock.

"You... You actually hurt me. No one's done that before. Well you're going to be the last one." said Ruber.

He charged at him again trying to injure him only to frown as he missed entirely and felt a kick to his back as he was flung to the floor his sword clattering to the ground. He groaned in annoyance as he glared at Ruber. He grabbed his sword and got to his feet again.

"I've underestimated you. This has been a very challenging fight. I was once a knight of King Arthur and I will give you an honorable death worthy of a king." said Ruber.

He hated the man. He wanted to kill him. But Hal had earned his respect. Something he hadn't got from Facilier's group. He stood with his sword ready for Hal to charge him again.

[Henry V/Hal]

Him talking too much? Hal didn't respond mostly because it was most likely Ruber made a solid point. Hal though kept fighting enough to slash the right side of Ruber. It caused the former king to smirk slightly but his smirk faded as Ruber charged him, Hal quickly retaliated by kicking Ruber's back and was about to grab Ruber's sword but Ruber beat him to it. The former knight caused Hal to also respect him, like Ruber Hal couldn't help but like the fight being challenging. It was at least enjoyable. For some part or reason that Hal could not explain at this moment.

Hal decided to no longer speak, only give a nod in return of Ruber's "praise". Hal saw that the knight awaited something from him, a charge, and that was exactly what Hal was going to do. The man let out a proud cry and charged, slashing swords, making sure to be weary of Ruber's sword. He would let his fighting and cries of battle speak for him. He need no longer speak, he already said his pieces for now.

[Sir Ruber]

Ruber sneered at him as they kept fighting. But Ruber kicked his back sending him flying. He was able to get his sword in time as he got to his feet again glaring at him. This was one of the best fights he ever had. It was a shame it had to end so soon. He was tempted to let him get away or take him prisoner so their fighting could continue. But for now he would have his fun with the man. He grinned as he was actually getting in a good mood. He hadn't really felt this good since his old days training with the knights before he'd let his greed for more land and for being king take over. And it had taken him by surprise.

"You're a good fighter and one of the best opponents I've ever faced. A shame this has to end." said Ruber.

He smirked lunging at him as he swung his sword at him trying to block him as their swords clashed. Just because he respected the man didn't mean he was going to let him win. Even though he wished he could get away. For now this would be the end. He chuckled as he swung his sword at him again determined to finish him off.

[Henry V/Hal]

Hal successfully fell down and was below Ruber. It caused him to be instantly reminded of a memorable battle between him and Hotspur. And it caused him to somehow panic for his life. Hal looked to see that while he was holding onto his sword, there was a chance for Ruber to stab or injure him. Determined to end it, Hal shoved ruber and slashed a certain body part, Hal was distracted by his passion that he didn't entirely see which one it was. Hal breathed, sweating now and somewhat dirty, his beard covered in dirt, his armor messy and a part of his face showing some blood.

"Aye. You too are a man worthy of sparring. I concur that ending this is a shame" Hal stated

[Sir Ruber]

Ruber smirked as he looked down at Henry. It was finally over. But he was taken by surprise as Henry attacked as he felt a slash at his side. He gasped standing back clutching his side. He gasped realizing the wound was deeper than he expected.

"I didn't expect you to fight so dirty your majesty." spat Ruber.

His side hurt feeling as if it was on fire. But his pride wouldn't admit defeat. He was going to stop him once and for all. His repeated defeats from Kayley and her friends had wounded his pride and on top of that his isolation after his first attempt at killing King Arthur had driven him insane. So he was a crazy yet proud man with nothing left to lose. He lunged at Henry again.

"This time I won't miss." said Ruber.

He chuckled charging at Henry once more but was taken by surprise as he immediately stabbed in the gut. His eyes widened in shock as he looked up at Henry.

"Good job Henry. Looks like I'm not going to live to see the end of this war." said Ruber.

He collapses to the ground.

"Perhaps if you had been my king instead of that peaceful idiot Arthur things could have been different." said Ruber.

(ooc: you can make the offer now. wanted to go ahead and start on the plotline before you left. xd)

[Henry V/Hal]

(OCC: Thank you. I really wanted to get this done before saturday. I appreciate it!)

Hal would not lose. The taunts were admittedly true, Hal was fighting a bit dirty, but he was focused on surviving not chivilry. The other man tried to get up but saw Ruber charging despite the deep slash on his side, Hal panicked and then aimed his sword. Precisely at Ruber's stomach and....

Shunk!

Hal was almost shocked but remembering his murder of Percy caused him to look slightly cold at the sight of Ruber's collasping body. Hal looked the man over though and heard him admit defeat, not to mention compliementing that if Hal was king in his time things maybe would've been different. Hal couldn't help but think of leaving him here to perish, but his heart felt that it wouldn't be right. Maybe Ruber was too good to die? Maybe Hal's pity for him overwon logic? It didn't matter. Hal would help him. With a price though

"Arthur's reign would be the same as my own. That said, I am different from him indeed. I wish to help you now that you honorably admitted defeat. The Critic has many medical procedures that will let you live to tell the tale of this fight. However in order for me to allow you passage to this attention... You must swear loyalty to me and the Critic's forces. If you refuse this offer, I will leave you to the crows" Hal firmly responded. This idea was admittedly a risky one. Ruber's loyalty to him would help him but it could also mean Ruber would kill him the minute he had the chance. Hal was no fool but his kindness did get out of the way of simply leaving a enemy there to die.

[Sir Ruber]

Ruber gasped realizing he was ready to die when he heard Henry's voice. He looked at him his voice was full of regalness and authority. And yet it was full of compassion at the same time. He wanted his loyalty. He scoffed at that. He only was allied with Ruber cause it served his purposes. He wanted to rule Camelot. No wait. He originally wanted the most land and when that had failed he had decided to take over. It was over 10 years ago he failed. Then he tried again and kidnapped Lady Juliana, Kayley (twice), and tried to take over. Even with the mighty sword Excalibur, he had still failed. Perhaps he wasn't meant to be king after all. But could he really work for Henry and the Critic's forces. When he'd fought against them and tried to kill them and vice versa. He smirked. He could just say he'd ally with him and once he was healed go back to Facilier. Surely Facilier wouldn't believe he was a traitor after all.

"Alright. I pledge my loyalty to you King Henry. Now, will you help me. A dead ally isn't much help now is it?" said Ruber.

As he said those words he'd sealed his fate as his right hand began to glow white as a symbol of a sword appeared in his hand as Ruber gasped in shock recognizing the design.

"Excalibur! What... what's going on?" said Ruber.

The sword glowed on his hand as he felt energy envelop him. It died down as to his surprise his wounds were healed but so was his mind. For the first time in years, he felt sane again. The sword then transformed into the seal of King Henry and became a permanent tattoo on the palm of his hand. He got to his feet only to be forced onto one knee bowing to Henry.

"I understand now. Excalibur didn't completely leave me when I died in my world Part of its power seems to reside with me. And Excalibur is supposed to serve the king of England and that's you. Which means I now serve you. It's healed my body and my mind so I can serve you but I'm no longer a knight. I think I lost my title when I turned against King Arthur. I believe you must knight me again your majesty so I can serve you." said Ruber.

His sanity was back and he hated this. But he only had himself to blame. He could have died and he'd chosen to serve Henry. He didn't realize he'd be bound to his word but now it was too late. He waited for Henry to reknight him.

(ooc: Figured I'd do this to save time. Cause well you can't really recover from a stab wound like that overnight so this way he's not stuck in bed for awhile. xd)

[Henry V/Hal]

(OCC: Sure XD. Sounds legit to me. Besides it does help me out a tad)

Hal was content with Ruber's answer to his offer, he was indeed about to help him up when suddenly a strange white energy surrounded the man. Hal backed away, fearing this magic. He was more shocked than anything he had seen around these modern area. Sure the heroes had talking animals and weird creatures but magic? Yes that was something really hard for the man, who was a christian, to swallow. Eventually the energy died down and Ruber was fully healed, had a small noticeable tattoo of his symbol on the palm of his right hand and was now bowing for him.

Hal was very hesitant to deal with the instant information that Ruber gave him. He WAS a king of england but that was in the past. Well, at least for him, but apparently the sword thought this only to make Ruber stay as his loyal knight/servant. He would explain the details to the heroes later and Hal assumed that Elisa would completely understand. Hal walked over and nodded, taking his sword out and putting it on Ruber's shoulder

"I bid thyself a knight of King Henry's court. Rise Sir and may the glory of your king shine upon thyself" Hal calmly responded then putting his sword away. He then offered his hand to help Ruber up "Come. Let us go before someone spots us eh?"

[Sir Ruber]

Ruber nodded as Hal knighted him and asked him to stand up. He nodded reluctantly.

"Alright. Let's go. I know the short cut we can take without being seen." said Ruber.

He knew he had no choice now as the sword tattoo on his hand compelled him to obey Hal. And he did respect the man. A lot more than he did Arthur. Someone who had bested him in battle, and nearly killed him. He owed his life to him so in a way he felt he owed him. And well he had allied himself with Ask That Guy and Facilier and neither army had won. Perhaps he'd have better luck at Critic's army. He paused turning to him.

"Will you vouch for me? Tell them about this. I will follow your commands your highness. But I'd rather die than be locked in a dungeon because they don't trust me. Perhaps we could share a room or something to not alarm anyone." said Ruber.

[Henry V/Hal]

Hal helped Ruber up and was about to leave when Ruber spoke again. Hal turned and looked at Ruber before speaking once more "Yes. You have done your part by accepting my deal, I shall do mine by not harming you any longer. I will tell them of this fight and you shall room with me once we return" He looked around and saw nothing, so he turned to ruber again once he finished checking for evesdroppers and spoke with a patient smile "Now show me this short-cut of which you speak of, Sir Ruber"

[Sir Ruber]

Ruber nodded listening to him. He didn't really like this but working for a man he respected he supposed wouldn't be so bad.

"Very well. Just as long as you vouch for me." said Ruber.

He nodded.

"We should be quiet. I'm not sure if anyone else is on patrol. Someone was going to come take my place so once they see I'm gone they'll know something's wrong." said Ruber.

He walked away heading east leading Hal towards the short c cut and on the way home.

(ooc: Guess we can end this after your next post. Unless you have other ideas.)

[Henry V/Hal]

(OCC: Nah, I'll end it with this post. It's all good)

Hal nodded and crossed his right chest-plate with his fingers in a X. He would keep his word and vouch. Hal may have been a fighter but he was also a responsible, honest man. He knew that Ruber needed to trust him and Hal would see to it that his new servant would. He also nodded and smiled even at the mention of being quiet. They were being rather loud to put it lightly and he offered his hand to Ruber to lead the way and when he did, Hal sighed slightly and followed his new servant to the short-cut. Now that Excalibur made Ruber his to command, Hal would take advantage of it, not in the way idiots would but the way a hero would. He would use ruber to help himself and his allies. He was cunning and so was Ruber though, so Hal had to tread lightly here and there. And as they walked, Hal thought of Arthur and how proud he might have been to see Ruber defeated by his decendant. Probably really impressed as well as shocked that ruber was sworn to serve him as his subject. He was a king to Ruber's oath now and Hal, despite determined to move on, would take it as a good thing. It meant one less enemy to trifle with.