dandan1350 479 Share Posted April 14, 2016 ~ Esheveurd Reborn ~ The carriage came to a halt at the entrance of the mighty keep, Geldern. The carriages wooden body hosting a dual pair of black and white streaming banners marking it’s Ashford allegiance. As the carriage was steadied to a halt the two men sat a front it quickly hopped from their seats and hurried to the carriage door, one opening the wooden door and the other laying down a series of small steps allowing a graceful decline to the ground. The two servants eyes fell to the ground as a thud of heavy plate hit the wooden step laid out beneath him and the young prince of Ashford revealed himself to the warm summer rays of his land. A brief smile graced the young man’s lips as he held up a gauntlet to shield the sun from his eyes and began his descent to the ground with a hasty nod to the two servants in thanks. Without another word the youth began to stride across the drawbridge leading him into the keep, on his flank a post of two Crozier brothers swiftly departed their station and began to march behind at decent pace. As he moved past each set of doors a further two guardsmen fell on his flank till he arrived within the throne room. A fine divide of the masses lead up straight towards the throne, rows of brotherhood men keeping them within place so as not to block the runway upwards. He crossed pass the masses, a creeping silence fell over the gathered crowds as only the heavy clink and rustle of armoured men marching forward sounded out. The armoured flank of men came to a halt before the stage and the youth made forward to ascended the few steps before he turned to face the gathered crowds from which his arms separated from his sides and rose upwards calling silence. The two men already stood on the stage joined him by his side, Lord Denis and Lord Thomas, both stoic in expression and strict in posture. “Men, women of Savoy. We have gathered within these halls to witness today the beginning of a new generation. For many this is lost but to those who truly call themselves Savoyards they are well-versed in the history of Esheveurd. They were the creators of Ashfords haven, till their very last breath they served to defend the Ashford family no matter the cost to themselves. They were the last generation, a lost generation who no longer serve in this world.” The youthful prince glanced over his shoulder towards the Lord de Aryn with a simple nod before turning his gaze outward towards the crowd. His eyes dropped further down to the front of the crowds where several men stood at ease, adorned in a blue tinted plate and each a winged helmet hooked under his arm. “But we have once more found the lost Esheveurd, the new generation who will take over their predecessors role. I ask the men in front to step forward.” As he spoke his final words, the armoured men each in unison followed the command and all stepped forward in sync. “Rolan of Drusco, approach.” On that word the armoured man marched out from his spot to stand before the prince, gazing upward to him and giving a firm salute as his balled fist smashed against his chestplate. “You are called forward on this day to receive the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a countryman of Savoy. Take a knee.” The man fell to a knee, his head hanging as his gaze dropped to the floor. The prince twisted round to face the servant behind him, accepting from the offered velvet pillow a blade of unique creation. A ceremonial blade, boasting a golden handle, a crest of the solstice sun sitting on the crest. Twisting back round to face Roland once more he leant forward and rested the flat of the blade on the man’s shoulder. “I ask you to recite your oaths, and swear your allegiance to Ashford. Speak these words.” “I am the guard. I am the shield. My place is beside the Ashen Family. I am vigilant. I am true. I act in Ashfords name. I am elite. I am brave. Traitors and Enemies shall fall before me. I am devoted. I am pure. Ashfords safety is my only task. I am the guard. I bear one name. Esheveurd. No words but deeds.” The knelt man recited his words, swearing his life to the spoken oath. The prince lifted the blade from the man’s shoulder, flipping it over and offering out the blades golden hilt to him. “Rise, not only a sworn brother of Esheveurd but rise as the champion of Ashford. I now dub you Roland, the blade of Ashford.” Roland rose after the words as he reached out to grip the hilt of the Ashford blade and take claim to it. With a swift wave of the princes hand he dismissed the man to the side and dragged his gaze outward to the collected men. “Lord Oscar Lancefeld, approach.” On that word the armored man marched out from his spot to stand before the prince, gazing upward to him and giving a firm salute as his balled fist smashed against his chestplate. “You are called forward on this day to receive the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a countryman of Savoy. Take a knee.” The man fell to a knee, his head hanging as his gaze dropped to the floor. The prince twisted round to face the servant behind him and accepted a second gift, a finely crafted shield of which sat a solstice sun upon its front. He twisted round to face the lord and gave a brief smile. “I ask you to recite your oaths, and swear your allegiance to Ashford. Speak these words.” “I am the guard. I am the shield. My place is beside the Ashen Family. I am vigilant. I am true. I act in Ashfords name. I am elite. I am brave. Traitors and Enemies shall fall before me. I am devoted. I am pure. Ashfords safety is my only task. I am the guard. I bear one name. Esheveurd. No words but deeds.” Glancing down briefly to the shield in his grip, the smile fading from the prince as he spoke out. “Rise, not only a sworn brother of Esheveurd but rise as the shield of Ashford. I dub you, the shield of Ashford.” Extending outwards, he placed the finely crafted shield within the risen lord's hands and waved him to the side till he finally took in a deep breath. “Men of Savoy!” He barked out in a commanding tone as the eight remaining unoathed men instantlly snapped into a salute. The heavy ring of plate against plate sounding out as balled up gauntlets struck against each chestplate of the soldiers in front of him. “I ask you to recite your oaths, and swear your allegiance to Ashford. Speak these words.” His words began to ring out across the hall of Geldern. “I am the guard. I am the shield. My place is beside the Ashen Family. I am vigilant. I am true. I act in Ashfords name. I am elite. I am brave. Traitors and Enemies shall fall before me. I am devoted. I am pure. Ashfords safety is my only task. I am the guard. I bear one name. Esheveurd. No words but deeds.” Each word, line after line was recited in return to the prince as each of the armoured eight men swore an oath upon their life to him in fealty. “Now rise, not just men of Savoy but now men of Esheveurd.” He rose his hand as he spoke, gesturing them all from their knee. As they rose the lord de Aryn departed from the young princes side and stepped from the raised stage to where he stood in front of Roland and Oscar. He produced out two badges within his hand, each in the design of a blazing sun. He stepped first to Roland, pinning the badge upon the breastplate, then stepping to the lord Lancefeld and pinning the badge upon him. Stepping back he gave a firm salute to the men and a nod, each man returning the salute immediately. Lucius continued to watch the lord de Aryn, as Thomas stepped past each newly sworn in member of Esheveurd. Pinning to them each a badge of the solstice sun upon their chest plate till he was finally done. He returned back to Lucius side and fell silent. “And so the torch is passed on.” Denis finally broke from his stationary position, stepping forward as he called out to the crowds. “All hail the prince!” He called out, and the crowds returned in kind with their own cheers. As the crowds began to die down in volume, Luicus descended from his stage and began forward down the divide. In front of him paced Roland and Oscar, eagerly eyeing the crowds for any moves as the rest of the eight newly anointed princely guard fell shortly behind in pairs. The long column forming as they exited. Through the prestigious show of formalities, oaths and symbolism. The torch was past onto the new Esheveurd brothers, sworn elite of his Serene Highness Prince Lucius de Savoie. The princely guard was created under the careful management of Lord Lancefeld, now dubbed the shield of Ashford. ((As always, apologies for the poorly written posts. Very tired and not quite sure what I'm writing at this point. Short little post regarding the creation of the small prince guard.)) 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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