A Thank You From A Duke

[Fireheart 2777]

A Thank You

 

 

     A lash of lightning flashes across the sky as a hooded figure moves slowly across the forest. As the rather robust figure moves along the shallow valley he glances towards his right noticing the grand tree known as Rurik’s Tree. He looks upwards as he admires the stand alone tree which dominates over all of its kind in the vicinity. He runs his hand across it, a wedding ring on his hand reflecting off another bolt of lightning that dances across the sky. Thunder rolls across the land. The two mountains of Dragon’s Peak and Woldzmir echo it back and forth between one another as if they were gossiping to one another. 

 

 

 

 

 

The figure now comes to a stop at the base of the mountain and looks up at the fortress on the mountaintop known as Woldzmir. He watches in silence as the water rolls off the mountain and collects into a nearby stream that exits into the roaring river as if it never existed. After what seems like an eternity, the clocked stranger slowly works his way up the mountain. Each step he takes becomes harder and harder as his feet sink into the soft mud and clay. As he finally reaches the base of the keep he reaches inside his overcoat to retrieve a bronze key which he, with unsteady hands, places into the lock. The door groans from age and wear as it swings open after a low pitch click emerges from the door. The now drenched figure then climbs a small ladder, from there he quickly dashes across the small courtyard and swiftly up the flight of stairs to enter the mouth of the keep. As soon as he enters he pauses at the entrance and takes in a deep breath. He smells the wave of flavors which come across to him as cooked fish. Franz slowly takes off his coat which he then tosses sideways into the pile of hoods and other random pieces of rain gear. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a much more relaxed posture he walks across the long hallway leaving foot steps of mud that trail after him. As Franz slowly descends the spiral staircase he can hear laughter and talk in the dining hall, he grins lightly at the thought of a warm meal. As he enters the hall he dips his head slightly so not to hit the top beam of the ceiling that supports the gated entrance of the hall. He, with quiet means, makes his way towards his seat at the end of the room. As he sits down at the head of the table in his chair he glances down at the fish left before him on a wooden plate. Small clouds of vapor roll off of it into the air signifying that it was recently cooked. He looks up slowly from his plate to notice that a wave of complete silence has washed over the room. Every single being and person has their eyes set on Franz. With a sigh and a slight groan he stands from his chair which is pushed backwards ever so slightly in the process.

 

 

 

 

 

 

He gives out a light cough which he masks with a cupped fist. “Thank you.” he says softly. Once again, with a much louder voice. “Thank you for this splendid feast that you have prepared for us to enjoy. Thank you for your support, Thank You for the recent victory and Thank You for this lifestyle you all have all worked so hard for.” He pauses for a moment as he slowly looks across the room at each and every face. Some hide a smile of pride while some reveal it ever so slightly. “Today marks a day in history that shall never be forgotten. My Father, Rurik Vladov, set out with a goal.” He says with a booming voice. “One goal in fact which was to become something to be remembered by. His only fear was to be forgotten, but today I believe he will never be forgotten. Nor shall any of us for that matter!” Another pause. “House Vladov and the Duchy of Adria shall stand strong and fight the good fight for humanity!” Small whispers begin to bounce across the room from one person to the next. Franz raises his hand in the air for what seems like a mere few seconds before it dies down once more. A small chuckle rolls out of Franz’s throat. “I see you caught me in what I’ve said and in fact I will reassure you all that we have, from this day forth, been bestowed upon us the title ‘The Duchy of Adria’ with myself as the leader and Duke of the lands.” A small applause rises from the table as once more Franz raises his hand to signal silence in the room once more. “We shall not bask in the pride and achievement as long as there is a single Dwarf-” A loud crash is heard as Franz’s fist slams against the table “Standing in the North!” Franz conceals his hands behind his back. “Until that is complete we shall not scream victory, nor shall we let our guard down. We will fight the good fight and we shall strive for not only victory, but achievement, and our future as well.” He glances over to his right giving a faint grin towards Winter. He looks back towards the table, “We have gone so far and achieved so much. We have always been loyal to who we see fit to rule over us and we will continue doing so until the ends of time. So enjoy the solitude of the night while it lasts friends for we are not finished with what we have started. That is all.” Franz slowly descends into his chair before scooting forward to rejoin the feast and celebration over the victory at the Dwarven Port. The event is then documented and stamped with the seal of Duke Franz Vladov to be placed in the archives.

 

 

 

 

tl;dr: Franz walks through a giant storm, cause he can, and joins a feast in his keep to spread the news of the new title Adria had received, Duchy. Gives motivational speech about how bad the Dwarves are losing and then sits down to eat an awesome fish.

 

[Ricky 321]

Athelstan looks out the window at his supposedly active and wealthy town. "Meh... a title or position is shite if you got nothing behind it, meh even vassles are shite if they're inacticve and wastes of your energy... a true leader is what counts!"

 

 

 

(on a OOC note pretty happy, good to see hard working players put in postitons where their activty can fule more activity, obviosly it is a game of how close youa re but nether the less...)

[Devland99 180]

Constantine raises his cup with his family cheering after Franz's speech

[Zezimus 1523]

Count Victor de Montfort raises a bottle of Carrion Black to Franz Vladov's speech, as the hall erupts into cheer and laughter.

[Aetosion 2062]

August de Montfort finally takes a break from writing and puts down his quill, cracking his knuckles of their weary aching, and heads into his bedroom in Eastcliff for a long overdue rest. He won't be seen until the sun sets the following day, and the laughter of young women can be heard from within. A celebratory wreath of evergreen and blackberry boughs is hung on door handle.

[Galendar 631]

 

The night was ever so silent on the far off seas of the realm in which Athera exists. A sleek black ship danced about in the storm sending men and supplies about the deck of the ship. It would be a long night, this was known by the crew, but they knew not when they would arrive at their destination.

    The following morning the storm has broke, as did a call from the crow's nest, "LAND AHEAD! ATHERA!" the young man would call. With that, some of the larger sails lowered as they glided by the quiet coastlines of the wilds before stopping on an old and tattered dock several hundred miles south from Orenian soil.

    From the ship came a small party of men donned in black and gold tabbards who lead the procession quickly. Following shortly behind them came the horsemen, banners raised high as they moved quickly on, a pitch black bear on a gold field being ever present overhead.

(Sorry, it's the best I could find q.q)

As the final man mounted the gang plank, all the soldiers fell deathly silent. His presence had not graced the continent in many years but he had finally returned from his quest. The beastly man descended the plank in his black plate and as he made landfall, his head turned north and arm rose in the same direction.

"We are going home." his voice growled in an authoritative manner before mounting his horse and moving on, flanked by his men.

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[Tirenas 677]

Moved to the Archive. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.