By Bones and Barrows

[iris1612 1780]

 

The sun was unusually bright, noted Boris, as he sat idly on the deck of the boat to Aleksandria. It was a good day by anyone’s standard, clear and cloudless, with just the right amount of breeze. Sadly, the business he was travelling for was far less pleasant than the bright day outside. He had just returned from a meeting with the Grand King, accompanying his own liege, Marius of Haense. They spoke of the ever-increasing hostilities between Courland and Haense, and how it could be resolved, while the young Count listened.

 

He sat in his carriage, reviewing the parchment that Lord Chancellor Lucas Vanir had given him. He was to go to Aleksandria and meet with the King of Courland to arrange a second diplomatic meeting between the two factions. It was a duty he looked forward to, as he had grown tired of war. The Siege of Houndsden was still fresh in his mind, and it was a memory he did not want to revisit.

 

His cart rumbled to a stop, and he stepped out of the coach, shifting his face away from the bright sun. With a smile, he looked over the city, tucking the letter back into his coat, but pausing as he heard the sound of footsteps and shouting. A group of men were walking towards him from the city, numbering six in total, and carrying weapons. As they approached, he begun to distinguish faces amongst the crowd. Gared Emmark, an old but notorious Courlandic soldier; Mah’r Volaren, an ex-Haensetic soldier who defected to Courland during the Eagle’s Uprising, and two more he did not know. At the back was none other than Frederick Baden Staunton, the Count of Trier, and kin to the King.

 

He looked over the men, some of whom were carrying weapons; warhammers, and shields. The men surrounded him loosely, and his gloved hand fluttered to the hilt of his battle-axe, a Black Ferrum blade that had served him through the years. The cart driver and a few other bystanders looked on with curiosity, though no one raised a hand to help. The Staunton pointed out at the young Count, muttering a few words to the brigands, before they lashed out at him. Errmark swung a fist at him, apparently trying to take him alive, and he blocked with a gauntleted forearm, his hand going to draw his axe. He howled in pain as the ex-Haensetic turncoat’s shield crashed into his neck and back, sending him reeling to the side. The men moved towards him again, the uniformed Emmark swinging his warhammer at Boris’ side.

 

He tried to duck beneath the blow, his ears still ringing from the shield blow, but his movements were sluggish, and he made a fatal miscalculation. With a sickening CRACK, the warhammer collided with his skull, sending him face-first into the dirt, his weapons flying from his hands, and blood flowing down his neck. Trembling fingers scrambled for purchase against the dirt, and he made some effortless motions to speak. Whether it was a prayer, a plea for mercy, or some last, defiant battle-cry, no one would ever know. The hammer came down one last time on his head, as his vision faded to black.

Boris Nikolas Ruthern, 1583-1601. He was 18 at the time of his death.

[KeatonUnbeaten 1103]

Gared would return to his Courlandic home, having handed the corpse off to an envoy to send back to Haense.

[Knox213 10]

Joe Talbot clasps his hands together. "Oh dear oh dear!" he exclaims.

[Rammer 388]

"It sends a message but is it wise while Haense still holds one of their own?" Ian curls his lips into a frown. Deeply sighing after a moment returning to his forge "Seems it is past the point of no return. Will be good for business if nothing else" he says grabbing at his apron to throw it over himself.

[Gavin_ 2027]

Prince Frederick Staunton-Baden sighs, having ordered for his body to be sent back to Karlsburg.

 

"If only the lad had of came peacefully to the Palace." he mutters.

"I fear this won't be the last." 

[Andustar 4143]

Ser Viktor would draw his blade "It's war then!"

[InfamousGerman 1553]

Lumo smiles, planning to begin removing limbs from the Staunton Princess.

[Pureimp10 5691]

Lukas had been quietly writing a letter when the messenger entered his room, delivering the news. He dropped his pen, leaning back into wheelchair. He'd drive his hand through his gray hair, the frustration clearly showing on his face. He had sent Boris to negotiate a peace, and instead, the boy would come back dead, the life stripped from his body. His sorrow quickly grew to anger as he threw his cup of wine across the room, a clang resonating around the keep.

 

"Am sorry, Boris."

[HurferDurfer1 2978]

Coltaine watches the incident sorrowfully, feeling shame for not helping the young Lord, as the hammer falls, Coltaine turns, sprinting off with inhuman swiftness, going to inform the Hansetic court.

[Legoboy7984 3155]

As Ser Markus Lothston arrives back in his homestead he is given a letter by a Ruthern man telling him the news of his liege Boris Ruthern as he then sighs

"These Stauntons just want constant conflict....Boris was a young Count who still had a full life ahead of him, but is killed like a hopeless dog..." Markus then sighs "By Bones and Barrows...." he then says in honor of his fallen liege

[Gnomistry 1115]

High Priest Callixtus Primus would sigh after hearing the news, he'd then go about giving a sermon with his brother bishops. 

[Taketheshot 3834]

Ser Walter Hands Boris a beer and pulls up a lawn chair in the seven skies "Sit friend, the fun is about to begin!"

[Ticklem0nster 103]

Baldric is slightly saddened as he hears Boris was slain. "It is sad to see a lad die so young, at least Arik didn't have to wait for him to die."

[Assassinofawsome 193]

The Vanir lord rose from his sick bed as his son Petyr brought him the letter. He gave a hard cough, reading it over, only to crumble the letter after he was finished. "Perhaps I /can/ go for one more war" he stated firmly.

[StokedOff 456]

Sergei Kovachev would sip his tea as he paced around his castle "This is war!" he'd shout, his words echoing throughout the keep "I have more claim to their throne then anyone who fights for them." the young Kovavhev Duke would chuckle as he sat in his chair "You've got a problem Tobias! GOD is on Haense's side and it always has been. God has abandoned your **** fest of a family in the past and will again!" he'd yell towards the fire glowing in the fireplace before him "By Righy of Flame."