Sir Nicholas Masterson. Coming from humble upbringings in a land on the outskirts frozen pines, Nicholas lived a tough childhood on the family farm. He was in no way, shape or from a noble family. His father was the castle blacksmith, so even though they didn’t have much. They did still have the appreciation of the local lord for the fine weaponry that his father made for the lords regime.
At a very young age, Masterson began training on the ways of swordmaking at his fathers side, and what kind of a blacksmith doesn’t know how to swing a sword that he’s made. So he began training with the weapons he made.
After coming of age, Masterson left the hometown to seek adventure, however the feeling of un-ease kept creeping in after a short journey into the wilds and soon after, he returned back home.
Just to find the town in complete ruins, burning buildings every where. He rode back home, only to find a pile of burning rubble. A few charred figures underneath it, must’ve been his parents, no doubt.
Nicholas completely broke down and sat in the mud for hours, until the lord of the castle rode in with the kings army that had come in to reinforce the Lords army.
It seemed to be a huge bandit army that had rolled through the town, and had left no one alive. After a brief moment, the lord of the castle took in, now 18 year old Masterson into his retinue and promised him to find the bandits and destroy them.
Masterson, now without a place to call home, received a full noble education, reading, writing, swordfight and etiquette. Which was unheard of for a lowborn. Masterson thought to himself, that there must be something that the lord wants from him to go through all this expensive trouble with him.
Many years went by, and even though Masterson was trained in the knightly arts, he was still making weapons, but training an apprentice of his own in the blacksmith’s house within the castle walls.
When one day, the lord of the castle came to speak with him. I would like for you to join me next time we ride out, I’ve got something for you.
The next day, Nicholas went to the courtyard where the lord was already waiting for him.
Put this on. He said, and threw a cuirass for Masterson.
Without much hesitation, Masterson put it on and jumped on the horse provided for him.
The party left the castle and after a few hours ride, they stopped on a clearing in the woods.
See there, that’s your man. the lord said and pointed at a small camp out in the open field.
What do you mean, sire? Masterson asked and looked at the lord with a brow raised.
That’s the bandit commander that raided your village all those years ago. the lord said.
The old hatred grew stronger and stronger in Masterson, as he now gazed upon this man who so emotionlessly took the lives of so many innocents, including Mastersons family. To see this man, after 10 years, all the rage, sadness and memories that had been long forgotten, rushed back into Mastersons mind.
After all this time, the man had grown old and feeble, but still good with the sword, no doubt.
What are we waiting for? Masterson said under his breath and kicked his horse in to a full gallop, while drawing his sword.
Surprised by this, the lord rushed after him, struggling to keep up.
Now the man at the campfire had stood up, looking at the charging duo, drawing his sword and readying it for a fight.
Masterson charged towards the man at full speed with burning hatred in his eyes. Yet a few feet from the man, he brough his horse to a stop.
Is it true? Did you kill all those innocent people at my hometown all those years back? Masterson asked, while pointing his sword at the old man.
Which one, boy? There’s too many to remember. The old man said and grinned at Masterson.
You killed my friends, my family. And now it’s time to pay the price. Masterson says, while he turns his horse and prompts it to kick the man.
The old man falls on his back from the kick, gasping for air. Masterson, jumps off the horse while the lord of the castle looks on.
I could always kill you. Hell, I would love to kill you. But then again, you’ve got a few years left in you anyways. So there is no use in releasing you from this life yet. Masterson says as he walks towards the man struggling to catch his breath after the kick.
Masterson places his sword on to the neck of the man. You can’t imagine how much pleasure it would give me to drive this blade through your worthless carcass over and over. And even though it would be my right to do so, repeatedly. I place you under arrest, for the countless of innocent lives that you’ve taken. And give custody to my liege lord. He will see to your fate.
After the ride back to the castle, the old man is thrown into the dungeon, awaiting for the upcoming execution, no doubt.
I can’t say that I agree with sparing his life, but that was no doubt very noble of you, Masterson. the lord says, as he jumps off of his horse.
You know how much I would have wanted to see his head roll. But the man is basically a husk of his former self, rather he suffer the consequences of his pillaging, than grant him an easy way out. Masterson says, while jumping off his horse as well.
Come, I’ve got something for you. the lord says, beckoning for Masterson to follow him up the stairs.
Masterson follow the lord up the stairs, into the lords hall.
I was meaning to give you this a while ago, but we were so close to tracking down the bandit commander so I decided to wait until that matter had been dealt with. the lord says, as he’s going through a small chest on the table with pieces of paper inside.
Ah, here it is. From this day on, I will legitimize your birthname Masterson and grant you a small village on the outskirts of the kingdom. You are hereby granted knighthood and be referred to as Sir Masterson. And with the acceptance from the king to for the House Masterson and whatever it may entitle you to. the lord proclaims as he hands in some papers to you with the kings seal.
To be granted such honor, with my background. I will truly serve the crown in any way I can. Masterson says as he bows down his head to accept the papers from the lord.
To be taken in by a lord in the first place, as a young adult, born into peasantry and as an orphan. Was unheard of, and now being brought into low nobility so suddenly, Masterson had no idea on how to react to such news.
A few years went by, and after Masterson had settled into his new life in nobility, he was just about to get himself sorted. When a bloody civil war broke out in the kingdom. As a newly knighted, Masterson had to choose sides, and went with the rightful king, who had bestowed him with the rank of knight in the first place.
However, the support for the pretender to the throne was far greater than the true king. And eventually Masterson had to go into hiding or face execution.
Under a disguise, Masterson hid away on a merchant ship, bound to Atlas.
As Masterson reached the capital of Ruriksgrad. He set out of town to build up his newly found, once growing House Masterson. All the work he had put into building up his house in the past two years before the civil war was spent for nothing. But maybe far away from his hometown, he could be something, maybe he could become something, it could be a new start into something great.
Once ready, he has sworn to march back to his homeland and reclaim the throne from the pretender king that now disgraces the throne.
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