Midnight Clad

[GloriaPreussens 798]

 

 

Departure, sometime temporary, other times permanent. A lone figure departed atop a black destrier in the first lights of morning, black barding upon it frogged with tarnished gold. The armored man stop it bore a dark burnished plate devoid of much ornamentation save a winged helm. His shield was painted freshly black and at his side a simple longsword.

 

He rode in quiet contemplation, thinking of his life to this point. As a young boy outside the walls of the de Bar castle Peremont, being taken as a bastard to his father's court and schooled in warfare and politics. A sudden change in lifestyle troubled the boy but he would be glad for it after a time. His mind wandered to the first sight of his father, stern of face always, with a harsh love of his children, even those born to a lowly maid of no standing.

 

The thoughts only grew darker from there, his father ordering him to kill a young boy from his home village to show his loyalty, and the tasks he was ordered after. Murders of political opponents and pests, forcing a threatening compliance on unruly vassals, and subterfuge in the interests of his stern father.

 

The rider’s thoughts moved to the memory of a friend, a Savoyard man of cunning and a ruthless business model. A faint smile not often seen crossed his helmed features as he recalled the long talks with Edgar de Saltpans, chuckling at his willingness to assist him in his economic takeover of Felsen, how they had been fools.

 

When he had Edgar rescued and spirited away via an escape tunnel under the Palace and besting both of the Archcancellor Augustus d’Amuary’s champions while concussed. A grin of pride, he straightened his back slightly, his finest moment to that point in his life had been that day. Open defiance of a power hungry and corrupt man, met with success.

 

The lonesome knight pondered next his new life in Vandoria, as a minor lord rising swiftly, his identity concealed as the patriarch of the farce house de Krinford, and the marriage of his wife now taken. Bitterness overcame him, reminding him of his ride’s purpose, his last quest.

 

His coronation as the monarch of Vandoria, he blanched at the thought, he never wanted it truly, but he desired to make his father now-dead proud. Perhaps his son would do better than he, for after all, his son was not trained to simply kill.

 

Night fell as the steel clad knight came to the borders of the realm, his absent thoughts and musing pushed to the back of his mind, his goal clear. Halting his horse he let out a pent up breath he didn't remember taking, taking in the chilled air. With a single whisper he reminded himself of who he was in his final quest.

 

“I am Ser John the Lesser of Peremont,” his voice barely pierced the silent night “and I am a bastard.”

With this final veneration, the bastard-king of Vandoria urged his horse onward to a fate unknown.

 

[HappyShackles 886]

Daniel prays for his brother and his travels.

[yopplwasupxxx 5946]

Prince Henry harumphs,

 

"Gave uncle John the duty of protecting his realm and left to the hills. How like him."

[Zhulik 3559]

Leopold wanders around aimlessly outside Ard'Ghorrock, having no more keys. He is saddened that he cannot reach his favorite swords.

[colovian fur 8360]

Willem de Denesle begins packing his things from Ard Ghorrock, the former personal Doctor to Ser John now left without a patient. He truly wished the man well, in John's last years as King he wasn't healthy. Willem says a quiet prayer to the man who hired a Dentist as a Doctor.

[Heff 2460]

Svatobor Ivanovich rubs the stitched area of his stab wound. The King had drawn naked steel upon him, when they were under pretense of alliance. Yet for justified reasons, in the eyes of a familial man, in the eyes of an honorable man. "Forgive him God, for he knows only the way of the blade. And those who live by the blade, die by the blade. Allow him into your eternal Skies, as he was forthright and goodwilled above all else."

[Shalashask 1112]

Elrach sniggers to himself "Cucked out of his own lands."

[Elad™ 560]

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