LOYALTY

[garentoft 9265]

 

 

 

 

 

LOYALTY

 

Depiction of workers outside Helena, constructing the Memorial for the Siege of Helena, led by Ser Frederick Baden. 1718.

 

For most, it was a normal day in Helena and in Reza. It was a quiet morning in the early months of 1718. Ser Frederick Baden headed out of his home as he always did. He had dedicated himself to constructing a war memorial to commemorate all those lives lost in the Siege of Helena, especially his old friend, Ser Jan.

 

But today, it was different. Before he even reached the construction site for the memorial he was met by horsemen, servants of the Pretender Joseph of Marna. He could not escape them and their horses, and ended up bound and captured.

 

They took him to Leuven. He had never been inside of Leuven before, he had only seen the walls on a number of occasions when they had fought Reivers or Pretenders outside of the settlement, but now he finally got to see the inside. They took him to the gallows and asked, “You stand accused of treason against Emperor Joseph, how do you plead?” And he responded, “Guilty. I have fought for Godfrey and his family since I was a boy, why would I turn against them now?”

 

Surely they had intended to execute him there and then, but instead his noose was removed and he was ordered to Reza. He was brought to the palace, removed from his binds and left with Laertes de Falstaff. They shared a wine and conversion, a kind of courtesy and pleasantry that he had not expected as a prisoner. Truthfully, he did for those last moments of his life believe Laertes to be a kind man.

 

The Pretender Joseph of Marna then arrived himself, ordering him to the throne room. Again, he faced a short trial, this time a military tribunal consisting of Joseph of Marna, Caius II and Laertes de Falstaff. Once again he was asked, “You stand accused of treason against the Empire, how do you plead?” And again he responded, “Guilty.” For his loyalty was unwavering, there had been four Emperors of the Pertinaxi Horen, and he had served every single one without any doubts about his loyalty.

 

"Then you will face death by beheading.” Ordered Joseph, and Frederick only nodded. Laertes smiled apologetically, and Caius  prepared his blade. He requested for his corpse to be sent to Helena, so he could receive a proper burial, and the Pretender agreed.

 

They took him outside. Caius asked if he had any last words and he turned to Joseph and said: “It is a shame it must come to this. Perhaps if things had been different we could have been friends.” He then turned to Caius and said, “Go on, do your duty.” and knelt.

 

Caius’ blade struck true. First fell his head, and then his body next to it. The body, as promised, was put on a cart and sent to Helena so it could receive proper burial.

 

---

 

Ser Frederick Alexander Baden

1685 - 1718

 

Ser Frederick Alexander Baden leaves behind his wife, Anastasia Baden née Capet. His three children: Seth Aurelius Baden, Thomas Aldis Baden and Nicole Adriana Baden, as well as an adopted child by the name of Theodosia Maria. According to his last will and testament, his property shall be split as following:

 

• His blade, Loyalty, shall be given to Ser Aldis Chase.

 

• All of his other property shall be passed off to his eldest son, Seth Aurelius Baden, held de facto by his wife Anastasia Baden née Capet until Seth Aurelius Baden comes of age.

[Vege 4804]

The Emperor clenches his fist “1000 of them for die for every one 1 of ours that they take.”

[TrendE 1347]

Ser Darius Ault pays his respects to the fallen Knight, muttering a prayer for the man in private.

[TankM1A2 840]

“Gone, though not forgotten. We’ll avenge you, brother. I’m sure of it.” says Ser Carlovac, lighting a candle in memory of Ser Frederick.

[sergisala 3451]

“One of the best knights that had ever existed in our Empire. His loyalty shall be remembered.” Alexander would sadly say as he hears the news and signs the Lorraine.

[___South___ 87]

Catherine Capet sheds a tear for her brother-in-law. “I’ll look after them.”

[trinn 5146]

Amelia Philippa recalls Frederick kindly, and her weak frame shuddered as a cold chill passed through her.

 

“I hope you are well and content, Frederick, wherever you may be.” Unknowing of his demise, the woman continued on with her daily duties, thinking only of times long past. 

[Dyl 2088]

Romulus would mourn Ser Frederick’s passing, “He was a knight who guarded me since I was a boy... Now he rests in the Seven Skies.” 

[LithiumSedai 5750]

”This man has been avenged. A hundred eyes for an eye, blood for blood.” Thus spoke one Lewin of Blackwater with mournful resignation, hauling away his bloodied spear after the forces of Renatus had descended upon Reza, slaughtering every single one of Pretender Joey’s soldiers – but far too late to aid Frederick.

 

Charles de Rennes, famous Administrator, baron, and white knight extraordinaire, murmured an earnest prayer for one of the few men he could call friend.

Corwin von Alstreim shed a single tear for Frederick, in place of the long-gone Jan Sigmar – despite having never met the deceased.

[annanicole__ 2802]

Anastasia would be silent and would remember the times they shared together.

[Lirinya 4021]

A sanddened Amador woman felt a heavy heart at the mention of her dear friends passing, even though they had not seen one another for some time.

 

A Talraen woman gave her husband a gentle embrace in reply to the loss, though she did not truly know the man enough to care.

[rukio 8924]

Rat Mcgee sheds a tear for the fallen man.

[Zhikarta 4064]

As the Knight received the news of his best friend’s execution, Ser Aldis Chase retreated to the confinements of his home within Helena. Staring blankly at the wall, the man was stricken with grief. ”We met many years ago, Fred. I always considered you my closest friend. A golden heart, that is what you had. Loyal, strong. Oren will pay for this Fred, I’ll make sure of it. Not a single Orenian will be left standing, they will all pay for what has happened today.”

 

---

 

It was his first major battle, the first time he witnessed how brutal this war was. Aleksandr Renault, although often calm and joyful, felt nothing but anger. His blade still bloodied from fighting the Orenians in the streets of Reza. “You knew father well, Ser Frederick. I never got to know you well, but that does not matter. Oren are the monsters of this war, that much has now become clear to me. They shall not get away with these atrocities, not anymore.

[KosherZombie 1772]

Will offers his cousin a blunt in the seven skies.

[Drew2_dude 2636]

Smirks at the death of another pertinaxi pretender whom slaughtered many innocent people just as his bastard friends had, who shall soon meet the same fate.