Cooke Mansion, Southern Torrs, Noon.

Pattou: As of right now, Riff must be on his way to Governor Yansho to issue the challenge. Sayfuro is everything prepared? 

Sayfuro: -shocked- Lord Patriarch, Master Rikkou has yet to arrive with the Wrecker Champions forces that we will use. As for Master Liger, he has already sent his sniper falcon to relay the need of some archers and knights to Governor Cyril Chance. Master Gerard on the other hand has already arranged for some provisions and supplies to be sent to the mansion at the soonest.

Pattou: That is good. Now we only need to wait for a response from Governor Yansho. 

Sayfuro: Understood. Sire, is this change into urgency a result of last night? 

Pattou: I thank you for reminding and leading me to who I should be. 

Sayfuro would only bow then leave. Pattou would then be left clutching to the Legacy Sword in patience.

Southern Torrs Tower area, Southern Torrs Governor's Mansion, Noon.

Riff would be able to approach the gates but see two guards standing by each side. Riff would ask kindly,

Riff: Kind sirs, I bring a message from the rebel Lord Patriarch Blade to Governor Yansho. May I deliver this personally to him or at the very least, have the Governor come out to hear this missive?

The guards are rather surprised but instead of having Riff enter the mansion, they have instead allowed for Riff's demand to have the Governor come out to see the missive. 

Lead guard: Lord Governor, a messenger is outside awaiting for you to receive a missive, 

Governor Yansho, as a noble would let this slide and would rather hear the missive himself.

Governor Yansho would approach the opening in the gate to see Riff ready with guitar on hand. 

Yansho: Speak! For one of noble status have no time with your antics. 

Riff knew what had to be done and began strumming away, 

Riff: Governor Yansho, noble you may be but this is no place for nobility. The people have been suffering while you merely provide a deaf ear to their concerns. The time is now for you to prove your worth. Accept the challenge now and you can name the time and place. The one who is challenging you is none other than Lord Patriarch Blade! 

Upon that last line, Riff strummed hard on the guitar to end the missive.

Governor Yansho was fascinated at the rhyme and rhythm accompanying this rather inflammatory insult to his noble name. 

Yansho: Bard. You go deliver this message to Patriarch Blade, Marshland Deltas. Late afternoon

Riff: This will reach him Lord Governor.

Riff left minutes later. In his mind he thought, 

Riff: -mind- Ha ha! Typical noble. But hopefully we have a plan to beat this oblivious twit to finally liberate this place as well. Bah, Lord Patriarch should have some idea on that.

Yansho would then rouse his men gathered inside the mansion with this, 

Yansho: Given the nobility of my name, we must not allow this interloper Blade to succeed in liberating the South. The Southerners love me here and I let them go about things on their own. We must slay that insipid Blade and his rebel allies, for my name and for Lord Baron Corrvin! They shall become nothing more than a stain on my boots. 

The soldiers gathered had raised their arms in agreement to the words of Governor Yansho as they all marched to the agreed upon place of battle.

Cooke Manor, Southern Torrs, Noon.

Riff had returned and reported to Pattou. 

Riff: Lord Patriarch, Governor Yansho has agreed to your challenge and he wants the showdown at the Marshland Deltas at late afternoon. 

Pattou: -smirks- That was more than expected. He knew his terrain as well but we are not so sure as to who he will bring alongside him. The deltas seem to be disadvantageous with the mud and poisonous swamps and all. We must tread carefully.

Gerard: That is why we will be well stocked in the fight. Items and potions from the merchants. As well as some more weapons for our allies should they need

Pattou satisfied would thank his ally for the provisions. Minutes later, Rikkou had arrived with a detachment of Champions from his Wreckers crew and Liger had arrived with some snipers and rogues who had arrived from the West. Little did they know, some peasants have joined in among the ranks.

Pattou knew it was time once again to rouse these men to fight with him. He stood outside the Manor and said this, 

Pattou: To those of you who came from the West, you all know what this will entail and what is to be expected. But for those who have joined us now, I know it will be expected of well the three of us from the West to see this through. But I thank our newly acquired allies, Whitesmith Gerard Cooke, Bard Riff Chosokabe, and the leader of Rikkou's Wreckers, my cousin Champion Rikkou Slingblade. 

The three figures mentioned stepped forward to be acknowledged.

Pattou continued, 

Pattou: For you who will side with us for the first time, know this and place this into your hearts and minds. We fight for a future that we will all build. A future that will bring an end to Corrvin's rule of terror. 

Some of those gathered chanted in agreement. 

Pattou: Personally, this fight is more than liberation. It is a fight over nobility. I claim that I only know of being a noble a mere few days ago. We will face someone who believes that nobility is something to be thrown around to justify and all acts, be it just or unjust. We shall show him that one simply does not claim nobility. We shall deal a heavy blow to Corrvin's forces by freeing the South! Who is with me? 

Those gathered raised their arms in agreement and cheered.

Pattou then approached a section of the crowd and saw peasants, 

Pattou: If I may ask, what brought you here? You are all farmers, non-combatants. I do not want blood to be needlessly spilled... 

One of the peasants spoke to Pattou, 

Peasant: Lord Patriarch, surely you jest. We all heard your exploits from saving the bard Riff to your liberation in the West. You have sparked the fire that we have all kept inside trying to swallow all the abuse from both Governor and Emperor. Allow us to throw our lot with you. We also wish to see the Torrs that you will create with your allies. 

Pattou was touched and merely replied, 

Pattou: Approach Gerard for your arms. I have an idea to assure you that you can contribute without being at the risk of losing your lives.

Pattou and his allies would then march to the Marshland Deltas, where an awaiting Governor Yansho and his troops are already in formation for this battle of nobility.

That was Chapter 13. Next chapter will be out in a few hours but bring on the popcorn, refreshments and the snacks because the next one...let's say it will be a ride and a battle worth reading.

Keep safe and stay awesome!