Xarkly 13204 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2021 Konstantin Wick: GONE FISHING Spoiler “... the road wandered to moonside, then morning again …” Konstantin Wick sang softly to himself as he worked. His voice was a low, untuned murmur, and his only music was the scratching of his quill as he wrote. His stage was his office, cramped and dimly-lit in the evening’s fading light, and his audience were heaps of paper, half-finished notes and unread letters, haphazardly stacked up on his desk. “... she wound through the day, over field ‘n through fen …” He trailed off, and found himself squinting at the words on the page in front of him. When did it get so dark? He had started his work penning this report at noon, when the light was bright and pale, but that had felt like it was just ten minutes ago. As he craned his neck to look at the windows behind him, he found the deep, golden light of sunset slanting through his office, casting deep shadows. He grimaced; it had become a bad habit of his, losing track of time like that. “... and then with the stars, fled to heaven again ...” Sighing, he lazily pushed back in his chair and stood. The motion disturbed one of the stacks of paper, and sent them sprawling to the floor, but he paid the mess no more than a dismissive glance as he stepped over it - he would have the Barclay girl clean it up later. He scooped up the lantern left on a bookshelf adjacent to his desk, and then cursed under his breath when he realized there was no oil left. “... but her stones did not falter, and nor did they fade …” He continued his muttered song as he stepped over the fallen paper, and trudged to the far side of his office where he kept his spare oil. At his balcony, though, he paused; here, the open balcony faced directly into the setting sun, and Konstantin had to squint through the intense golden light as the sun slowly sank into the Karosgrad rooftops. A soft, brisk wind blew softly through the opening into his office, carrying with it the distant din of voices and laughter from the city outside. “... the path did not balk, through sun, rain, nor shade …” Despite the burnished light of the sun, the frigid Haeseni air made Konstantin’s hairs stand on end as he stepped out onto the balcony. Still squinting, he made his way to the balustrade at the edge of the rooftop, which afforded him a birds’ view of the red city that spanned out before him in every direction. “... ever forward she led, and ne’er she strayed …” He sagged against the balustrade, head resting on his forearms, as he watched the city below. In the sunset, half of Karosgrad was cast in deep shadow, and half in that burnt orange light. The strength of Konstantin’s eyes had long since begun to fade, but if he squinted, he could still make out the shapes of townsfolk thronging the streets. Craftsmen drew the shutters of their workshops, dots of torchlight began to dapple the darkened red-stone buildings, and people flocked to the Old Stout Crow Pub in the city’s square. Konstantin even thought he heard the sound of a bard’s lute resonate from the tavern - that only made him frown, though; naturally, no other Haeseni bard was remarkable compared to Konstantin Wick. As the laughter of children echoed from the square, he found himself heaving a deep sigh. “ … yet no road runs forever, not even she …” Perhaps it was his choice of song, or perhaps sight of the city beneath him, but he was suddenly beset with a strange feeling of nostalgia. He could not quite describe it. He raised his hands into the sunlight. He was an older man now - nearing his sixtieth birthday - and yet he was still surprised at his wrinkles. Had they always been so, and he had just never stopped to notice? He supposed that would be just like him. He did not only lose track of time when working in his office. It always seemed to happen. “ … though the mountains she crossed, and the forests, and sea …” His voice had grown hoarse as he absent mindedly continued the song. Though time had become a blur to him, he was not oblivious to its effects. He remembered a meeting, many years, in New Reza where he had appointed the Aulic Court’s first Jovenaar. It had been a mundane meeting, no different from any other, but he explicitly remembered something he had said: in our line of work, we do not live for ourselves. To an uninformed ear, the statement rang pitifully, but not so to Konstantin. “ … but she knows she’ll ne’er sit in the shade of her tree …” It had been thirty-one - no, thirty-two - years now that Konstantin had served as Lord Palatine, and seven of those years had been as Lord Regent while Haense had been rocked by the death of King Sigismund. All at once, it felt like a lifetime ago, and it felt like it had happened this morning. He found himself laughing mirthlessly at the notion, before the laugh transitioned into a raspy coughing fit. It took him nearly a minute to calm down, and suck in the cold evening air to settle his lungs. His years of heavy smoking were, it seemed, beginning to catch up with him. “ … t’was for others she laboured, and others she loved …” He fished his redwood pipe out of his pocket. Even since those nasty cigarettes had become popular, he had kept this pipe with him through the decades. A puff from it had always settled his temper, it had always strengthened his resolve, and it always gave him the spur he needed to keep working, to keep building his dream of Haense. His other hand froze as it reached towards the tobacco pouch on his belt, and he found himself staring absently at the pipe instead. “ … and thus she’d plant her seed, and watch from above …” As he stared at the pipe without blinking, another meeting - this one more recent - crossed his mind. He remembered asking his assistant - the Barclay girl - why she had agreed to work under him, and tolerate his infamous eccentricities. To make Haense a better place, had been her answer, and to help all those who live here however I can. At first, he had dismissed it as a boring, naive answer, the same kind of response he would get had he asked any old fool on the street. Now, though, he was not so sure it had been a bad answer. A simple one, but perhaps the drive to work to make the lives of others better could not be captured in words alone. Had I been any different when I first started on this path? He asked himself. Had my desire been so simple? “ … with no choice but to believe what she had done was enough.” No, that’s a lie. When Konstantin had first begun his path to become Lord Palatine, his motives had been selfish. He had wanted fame, he had wanted respect and recognition, both for himself and for the mired name of Wick. But only at first. That had all changed when he had met Princess Alexandria Barbanov, his wife. It was only then that his motive had become to build a better Haense, and to make the lives of the Haeseni people better however he could. All his selfish motives had melted away then, like snow in the Sutican sun. “One day, her stones grew brittle, and her gravel weak …” His eyes drifted back to the city once again. The light was fading now as the sun slowly dipped beneath Karosgrad’s crimson walls, and the shadows stretched longer, and the dots of lantern light multiplied. A better Haense … In the fleeing sun, he spotted a duo of Crow Knights marching their way down Crown Avenue, the golden crow painted on their breastplates gleaming even from this distance. He could see Brandt Barclay milling about the Golden Crow Bank on the square’s corner, putting up fresh notices on his trading board, and a few moments later a score of young men and women - students, he thought - filed past him, circling around a cloaked Jurist. “ … and she could nay look back on all she wreaked …” A better Haense. Yes. From the reformation of Knighthood, to the Haurul Caezk, to the Aulic Edict, to the Golden Crow Bank … Yes, he was confident he had achieved that simple desire as best he could. Then, a more unsettling thought skittered across his mind: why am I still here, then? He certainly did not have a plan, no goals nor roadmap to speak of. On the other hand, he had never really had a plan throughout his career at all - he had simply just done things as they popped into his head. Yet, as he stood on his office’s balcony, something felt … different from before when he had worked through his various projects. He was not quite sure what it was, but he did not like the feeling. “ … and found that … found …” He stopped singing. Am I just waiting to die? His fist closed on his pipe, smashing it in his hands, and he suddenly bellowed a hearty laugh. Waiting to die, when he had still yet to live a life for himself? That was ridiculous. He spared one last glance from the city below him as the last of the sunset light - which was nearly red, now - shone on the city. He smiled softly at what he saw, and then tossed the smashed remains of the pipe over the balcony. Konstantin dashed back into his office, then, and threw open the little cupboard behind his desk. Inside lay two items, both fashioned from pure gold. The first was his Snailula One trophy, and the other was the Golden Bulava - an intricately decorated mace - that served as the badge-of-office for the Lord Palatine. Konstantin hefted the heavy Bulava on his shoulder, grunting under its weight, before he threw open the door of his office, and took off at a sprint through the corridor. He must have looked quite a sight, running past startled courtiers and servants with a golden mace on his shoulder, but Konstantin did not spare them a thought. When he finally arrived at the doors of his apartments, he was wheezing deep breaths through his toothy grin. Inside, he found his wife - Alexandria. She seemed to have fallen asleep at the parlour table, wrapped in fur blankets, a book propped open in front of her. When Konstantin barged in, she bolted upright, wide-eyes snapping to him. “Konstantin! Has something -” “Would you like to go fishing?” he stammered over her. “I -” he paused, swallowing to wet his throat. “I promised I would take you fishing.” She lofted a surprised eyebrow. “Fishing? It’s dark out, Konstantin! Besides, that promise was years ago.” His smile twitched wider. “I have time now.” Then, a mischievous gleam crossed her eyes, and she mirrored his smile. The next morning, as the Highland sun rose over Karosgrad, its pale light glinted against the Golden Bulava. The mace was left carefully leaning against the doorway of King Heinrik’s bedroom, with a short note tied to its shaft. ‘Gone fishing.’ Spoiler Konstantin's fishing trip 34 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
UnBaed 9264 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Alexandria Karina Wick had been in Karosgrad again for the past two months, having decided to return to the City of Crows for the winter season rather than wait out the snows in the Scyfling camps or Rubern. She was certainly content with her decision, for her husband was always the cause for her smiles - and the harsh weather and travelling was beginning to have more of a toll on her due to her age. Now she understood part of why Segn, The Vile Tooter, was always so grumpy and curt. She was seated at the desk within their bedchambers, reading through the old notes of her sister Amelya while she was wrapped snug in a blanket of fur pelts. The crackling of the fireplace compared to the distant whaling of the Haeseni winds outside began to lull her, the aging Princess' eyes soon felt heavy and she found herself dozing off. Her dream was of two Scyflings, happy companions with a strong determination to find a hidden swampland in order to get their hands on a fabled moss. The two were so driven, that they would battle the Sea's waves with naught but a raft and a patchy tarp for a sail. Their journey was long and perilous, having lasted days out on the waters. At last, a hopeful sight met their gazes as they noticed the fir forest on the coast becoming consumed with a bog filled with dead and ancient trees. They cheered and began to celebrate, excited for this damned search to come to and end; however, it was not over for them yet. Something stirred beneath the waves that rocked the raft, a sprawling shadow passed under them and began to break through the ocean's surface beside their boat; a vicious sea serpent had found its new prey. As the creature released a mighty roar, Alexandria was stirred from her slumber by her husband entering the room in a rush. With him... was the Palatine's golden bulava? 9 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodGuyMatt 7072 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Ser Brandt Barclay, Mister Konstantin's number one fan, will feel Konstantin's absence as he went out fishing. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaerie 3575 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Marcella Barclay had been alongside Konstantin for some time now, and had gotten used to his eccentric behaviour, even bagan to enjoy them perhaps. She wondered for some time when he'd finally be done his work, and she realized as she heard the news, that she'd actually miss him and his antics. 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
garentoft 8358 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Lauritz sat in his Valwyck retirement cabin, peering out over nearby waters. He blinked as he spotted a fishing boat with two familiar yet distant faces on it. "About time," he mumbled to himself, "Thought Konstantin was going to die in office." He rose, pressing his hand to the window, "It looks like they're having fun, at least." He marched over to his desk, shuffling through some old papers marked with CHRISTIANSEN-WICK SOLICITORS on them, before he sat down again, resuming his writing. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eryane 3635 Share Posted February 20, 2021 (edited) Within the office of the Speaker, Irene instructed a scribe over the words she wished for him to pen for a missive. Still her eyes had yet to recover from the gruesome events and were veiled with a white fabric. A knock came at the door, resulting in her silence and the scribe stopping amidst what he wrote. The news came swift, but a hint of a smile started to form on the solemn woman's features. Never before had she known a man to work with such resilience, strength, and goodness throughout their tenure. Yet there would be a certain hole left missing in his place, something that no statesman could fill, and continued to scribe her missive. Perhaps now she would have the time to take him on that trip she promised years ago. Edited February 20, 2021 by Eryane 5 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juli 1341 Share Posted February 20, 2021 The Queen Mother raised a brow, seeing the now former Palatine gallop down the halls of the Palace carrying the Golden Bulava in his hand. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mio 3797 Share Posted February 20, 2021 Otto Baruch returned from a fishing trip himself, alongside his dear brother Ruslan before they caught news of the esteemed Palatine "Hear this Ruslan, once upon a duma he sent me on a very top secret mission, with promise of reward of course. Ah' spent hours finishin' it an' at the end when it was complete and ah' delivered the news to him; nie reward was received. He could've at least taken me fishin' with him da? Tha' would've been nice." He concluded his story, shooting a quick glance to his brother "Ah' always have enjoyed his personality, you should thrive to be more like him." The two then returned home, retiring their fishing gear for the day before getting into another argument about who caught the bigger fish. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolcod77 587 Share Posted February 21, 2021 "Have a good retirement friend, you've deserved it." Commented the similarly retired Manfred Barclay, who then returned to farming cabbages outside the castle of Reinmar. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legoboy7984 2537 Share Posted February 21, 2021 "Have a good retirement." Stefan would say with a nod upon the news. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
doreebear 601 Share Posted February 21, 2021 Nataliya smiled softly. "Well done Uncle, for many years you have kept the Kingdom together. . ." she muttered to herself, though the princess would not share the gratifying words towards her Uncle Kon, for she was too prideful. The woman then sighed happily at an empty table. She then grasped a mug of Carrion before bringing it to her lips. However, the former Princess Royal would soon be interrupted. A cod was tossed at her, hitting the woman in the face, spilling the carrion about the table as the fish flopped around on the wood. Nataliya would have a look of pure irritation upon her visage, tearing her gaze from the table towards her Uncle Konstantin. "PAY BACK!" the man cackled as he ran off with her Aunt. Spoiler Spoiler 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndrewTech 2835 Share Posted February 21, 2021 Sir Konrad Stafyr would smile warmly upon Konstantin from the Seven Skies, sipping from an ethereal mug of Carrion Black. He glances over to his fellow statesman, Sir Terrence, as they sit by the side of an etherial beach. "And so, young Konstantin has finally come full circle!" He would remark to his fellow deceased with a chuckle, shaking his head in the slowest of manners. "I remember when he was but a lad of eighteen, struggling to establish a legal practice of his own in Reza... And I remember the light in his eyes, when I offered to take him on as my assistant. When he became a Member of the Commons, and then Justicar. And finally, on the day he became Palatine. Oh, what a journey it's been for his since!"Gazing back out at the ethereal waters, he would let out a deep sigh. "His legacy will, undoubtedly, be colossal. Akin to, or perhaps even greater than our own I daresay. But alas, there is something more important than fame..." Hesitating a moment, he adds, "...And that, my friend, is family! He has chosen to spend his later years with his wife and children, to plot a new course and explore a new frontier of a different nature. It took me the longest time to realize that. Sadly, some Palatines never do. Like that poor Baruch fellow, or my cousin Leopold." Gazing out into the distance as he looks away, the Stafyr simply murmurs, "I hope that you know that I'm proud of you, lad. For however long that fishing trip of yours lasts, you deserve every last bit of it." 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erictafoya 2387 Share Posted February 21, 2021 As Igor woke up from his nap of after doing a 'hard' day of work, he would learn of the retirement of the Lord Palatine soon after. The Tribune, who was still in his prime, had much respect for the man who had served his Kingdom longer than he himself had been living. However, he also realized as time went on the old guard was being changed, and a new guard would soon take over. Igor sent his best wishes to the former Palatine and his wife on their fishing trip. . .Meanwhile, a phantom in the dead of the night overhears the gossip of drunken citizens. "Did you hear the news?" asked one of the drunken men "They say the Lord Palatine has retired! Gone fishing he has." As the Old Knight hears this, a rare smile appears on his face. The revenant in his transitional phase managed to chuckle a bit as he disappeared back into the shadows "Well I'll be damned..." , said Ser Ivan. "I hope its a big catch... Good luck you two, don't get a cold again." 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdestPepsi 1037 Share Posted February 22, 2021 Friedrich Barclay lit up a cigarette as he heard the news "Wish ich could have smoked with him when ich had the chance." he'd say to nobody in particular. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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