A RETURN TO DUST

[3andD 1722]

 

 

 

A RETURN TO DUST

-

 

The harbour of Curon bustled with the tell-tale hum of economy, hook-nosed merchants spruiking their wears before passers-by, gnarled criers announcing the hour's news before the crowds, whores ushering resting sailors into their dens to either perform their services or rob them of their coinpurses. These sounds of industry, were likely in part the work of Steward Daan, the ambitious Steward who the Emperor recalled made every effort to improve the human condition during his early years of rulership.

 

That was many years ago, or so he thought. Emperor Antonius Horen had been disconnected from his council for the majority of the five years, cavorting far off in a foreign land searching for his father and the truth of his Grandfathers disappearance. A ship, an immense carrack bearing black and gold sails the colors of the Pertinaxian line, had begun to make port in the harbour, manuevering deftly between the rigid coastline. At its fore he stood, retainers bearing his sigil all around him, hurrying busily to dock the vessel. He had came into life which was perhaps meant for another, and found himself yearning the life of a knight rather than king. Clean shaved, tall and muscular, he seemed to in many ways resemble his father in his middle age. His eyes were set deep and grey, distinctive of the line of Horen. He was pale of skin like his father and brother.

 

 

While his hair continued to grow till his shoulders, creating the effect that he was younger than he was in truth, the Emperor counted himself lucky not to share the short stature and prematurely greying hair of his brother.  He wondered exactly how long he had been Emperor - a thought that was swiftly interrupted by the heavy tones of trumpets and drums, the dockmaster having loosened the ropes, letting the ship leave harbor. 

 

Some knew him in his youth, sharing stories of the budding youth training swordsmanship and tending to horses . Others said that he had become a madman and tyrant who drank himself to death in his palace, or that he had become a raving zealot who devoted all his time praying to GOD. One thing was certain: the Emperor had given back to the realm his entire life. Taking his fathers dying Empire and igniting the nationalism which he so desired, reforming his armies into a professional standing force, and restoring the once dry coffers.

 

"Your Imperial Majesty, the letter." The assembly asked, "God requires your will be printed, so your subjects will listen.”

 

-

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“So Be it.” the Emperor responded, moving to seat himself across from his Councillors. “Where shall I begin?” he asked himself, watching a small candle dance across the dingy captains cabin.

 

“When I was born, the Empire was an idea that protected humanity and ensured our eternal support for one another. As it is named, our Empire is for all man. My Grandfather Aurelius expanded our borders and saw merit where none was possible.

 

My father too, sough peace and revitalize our capital. During this time, I studied and learned so that one day I too could take the mantle and rule this Empire to the best of my abilities. I promised to my father that my son would inherit an Empire that was stronger then the one I was given. 

 

Recently, I had ventured to Aeldin in search of my father. What I found was a shallow grave, unmarked and hastily dug. My guide, an aged monk with salt in his beard insisted that my father, Emperor Augustus, lay in the grave. Dying while hiking through the mountain region in northern Aeldin. “I will find my father.” he said to me, handing me his crown and hugging me goodbye.

 

On my way back to Arcas, in my dreams, I saw the Dragon which my great-grandfather rode across the great sea. But, upon his back was not Aurelius or Augustus. But rather a skeleton, with his eyes pecked from there sockets by vultures.

 

Once I returned to my palace in Helena, I couldn’t forget this dream, it haunted me for weeks. Upon my seventh day, I realized why my father had abdicated and left in such a haste and it left me animated to follow him, beset by duty, to venture past my father's grave in search of the truth.”

 

The Emperor stops, his eyes darting to the man writing before him. 

 

“I’m not finished, so listen up.”

 

“So I shall leave, this time on a permanent pilgrimage. To return to continue past my fathers grave in search for my grandfather. However, I shall not carry the weight of the failed promise to my father to his grave. I shall not see him once more with an empire which is not equal to the one I promised.

 

So I shall release all my lawful vassals, signers of the reign of Antonius from there fealty to the Empire. I shall be the last Emperor of Man, with me the title shall destroyed alongside the Empire.

 

 The Dragon Knights are the ultimate shield of Humanity. To be released from direct fealty to the Emperor, they are commanded to defend humanity at all cost. Regardless of name or culture.

 

My will be done.”

 

And with a final stroke, the writer finished.
 

[Harri 4815]

daniel can not believe this

[Inferno_Ougi 1454]

Hannibal cringed!

[squakhawk 14038]

Illythia frowned.

[bromadan 368]

A priest laughed loudly somewhere

[Nathan_Barnett36 1564]

“Can’t be Emperor if theres no empire” says Siegmund, disappointed. 

[Imperium 3495]

“Joseph Marna is the true Emperor, his Empire shall rise from the Dust.” Marius says proudly from the palace in Haense

[GhostSHTR 1205]

Just now, Imperium said:

“Joseph Marna is the true Emperor, his Empire shall rise from the Dust.” Marius says proudly from the palace in Haense

With that said Ser Bjolfr would scream” AVE MARNA”

[Enlightenment 2295]

Demetrio smiles the sun’s smile as he walks about freely in former imperial territory, “Aha, grazie, your-a most divine imperial majesty si si!”

[TankM1A2 840]

Ser Carlovac wishes the late Emperor Aurelius would descend from the Heavens to lead humanity to salvation once more.

[Legoboy7984 3155]

“All hail Emperor Joseph Horen-Marna!”

[Chorale__ 2147]

“This again. Lovely” Véres Draskovits proclaimed.

[trinn 5128]

Amelia sips her drink with her nephew, John Alexander. “A weak move. At least Aurelius used blades when he destroyed an Empire.” 

[lemonke 6014]

“Ave Aesterwald!”

A Halfling muttered from a tavern, listening to a  shout of another man of culture as well.

[Guest]

 

 

Ilya had seen many things throughout his life. He had fought with his father Ser Konyves against the Adrians who had defied them and even brought them to heel with him on occasion. He had also enlisted in the Imperial Legion and served alongside his distant relative Cassius Horen, and served in the Third Atlas Coalition War.

 

It was only now, across the Great Sea, that he realized the futility of his life’s work in his sick bed. He had no wife, and the only children he sired were bastards. He was a failure unlike his father and had never managed to achieve Knighthood. All his family was dead or gone, and his very own cousin had committed sacrilege against the Faith by bedding his sister.

 

To Ilya, all he could feel was spite and dissatisfaction with how he lived his life, and that too is how he died.

 

Not on the field a proud warrior, not in the coal mines a family man, but at the ripe old age of fifty-five upon getting cancer of the lungs. He spat and heaved, and that too is how he died – in futility, with the Empire he so loved dissolving despite the best interest of all his kinsmen.