[pk] Let it be known

[Lomiei 1487]

“Let it be known”
 

There is a war to be had. A long struggle between fundamentally opposed lands. On the one hand, a collation of imperials who take wigs to dawn upon their heads; on the other, a flourishing nation that revels in the taking of wigs as a trophy. Both claim ownership of humanity’s bastion of class and faith. Both claim to act as God’s righteous hand. Neither, however, will cease in their attempt to undermine the other.

Titles… Land… Sovereignty… What consequence holds these petty feuds in comparison to the lost lives of guiding fathers, loving husbands, and passionate brothers? 

Some would say boldly, it holds naught.
While still others contend that war is not fought for any such theories. No. It is the honor of a nation’s people that seeks not to rend the resting men from their beds into the field of blood and death; rather the sense of righteousness in a warrior that breeds a disdain of respite, and propels him forth to the front-line of his home’s prosperity.

“That upon this day”
 

Erwin raised his eyes, finding himself in the indescribable scenery and beauty that was the 7-skies, engulfed fully in the peace that accompanied it. There he saw one familiar face among many, and approached the man who held his arms openly. "Hello, father" Erwin said as if there was not much else to say. As he delivered himself into his father’s arms, the aged knight took revelry in his progenitor’s words "you did well, my son." ( @Javert )

 

"There is so much more to be done." he said whilst a tear began to well within his eye, close enough so that Henry could see it.
"And yet you have done more than enough." Informed the former patriarch with a chuckle and giving Erwin a pat on the back.

The fourth patriarch of House Bishop opened his mouth to speak, but for the first time, could not find anything to say in that moment. Both he and his father turned to gaze down upon the realm of Almaris and its many denizens. In that time of silence, it had finally come to peace with Ser Erwin of House Bishop.

‘It is their turn now.’  Henry and Erwin said in unison as their gaze drifted from Ariovistan to Helena, then to all of the Bishop Household.

“Ser Erwin Bishop”
 

He was a friend to many. In his youth, he spent his days gregariously conversing with his fellow Haeseni in the tavern, always paying just the right amount for his drinks. The time he spent upon his feet was used to travel and make friends. And make friends he did. From the risen and fallen Rozania to the southern oasis of the Kharasi, and even some of the families in the empire which saw his end. 

 

‘Now that-’ the man spoke, beaming with an unfamiliar joy at the thought of the court’s events "...was touching". 

 

As crowds of thousands gathered in the Orenian court, the Anathema Emperor and his privy stared from their stolen and still-bloody throne to scowl upon A knight and his Baronial Squire.
 

"The two Haeseni will hang. My mind is resolved as such." ( @Nectorist )- Echoed the words of a man who attempts to silence the calls for reason. To Erwin’s profound surprise, men he had only days earlier been at battle against, pleaded with their imperial overlord to allow an honorable dispatch of the martyrs by the sword. Some even, appealed to His Imperial Majesty for allowance of leave and a safe home’s return for the two. And yet others further, pleaded for themselves to assume the knight's place at the gallows.

 

But erwin knew as soon as his sword drew upon the Orenian raiding party, as soon as he gave his sister Vitalia a final nod with the lowering of his helmet’s visor, that the 7-skies had prepared a seat for him, and the dinner-bell had been rung.

 

And so he sat at his first eternal supper. As he bowed his head in prayer, the usual formalities were all but eschewed. In their place, the names of those who stood to defend the knight's honor as well as that of his squire, and a plea for God's blessing to be upon them in turn. "Elijah.( @HeyitsNano ) Daiyanara.( @EmiliainWonderland ) Naric.( @ibraheemc2000 ) Faiz.( @adamc2000 )" -+- "...Thank you."

“And his most loyal Squire Sigmar of House Mondblume,”

@AmazingAzura

“Have endured.”

[Phersades 1165]

Nikolai Mikhail Kortrevich settled in the tavern with a drink, very pleased with how the day had gone thus far. 

As he finished his drink, a letter would arrive from his friend Edith Hope

"Lord Nikolai, Do you happen to know a Ser Erwin Bishop from Haense?"

Odd, he thought. He had just had dinner with his friend, Bossir Sigmar Mondblume, which at one point the topic of the Bishops had been brought up in passing. Erwin specifically, and how much he had helped both men through their years. He smiled some as he responded, though unsure as to why she would even ask. His walk out from the tavern began..

The returning letter was a little more unpleasant. From Edith came...

"Well, He was just hanged here in court, I am letting you know so the family can be notified"

He paused then, his gaze settling on the words as he stood in the middle of the empty town square. The timing could not have been better, as he reached the end of the letter, in came a rush of men, holding the body of Ser Erwin Bishop and... Another. He stared at his friends for a long while before he found that his little cousin, no more than eight, had found his way to the Lord's side.. In tears just as any child might be. All Nikolai could think to do was question why the men were where they were.. He picked up Borris and the only thing that came from the mourning man was simply.. "Let's go back to Jerovitz, Mea boy"

 

Spoiler

Nikolai would mourn his friends. The man took the child home and consoled him, as any adult should. He tried his hardest to do his duty as the caretaker, the man he needed to be for the rest of his family. He found himself in his room after though, sulking in the quiet dark. The Bishops, he thought they, contrary to some belief, were dobry. Wonderful men and women with plenty energy and much drive. He respected them, and despite all, felt as if they accepted him, and cared for him all the same.

--- 

Nikolai remembered meeting Aristovan. A little red headed boy who offered the Lord cake from his own pocket. Nikolai had already gained his malflame scar which was hidden from the world, and the loss of his father was so close by. He didn't have many friends, so this Bishop boy was better than nothing. 

The cake made him SICK. The Kortrevich child puked and puked. Though the talk that went on in this interaction faded in Nikolais aging mind, he remembers how sorry Erwin Bishop was that his son just accidentally poisoned the little lord. The soon to be knight offering both children drinks and FRESH treats to enjoy. Unknown to Niko at the time, Erwin would have provided him much help as he got older. If anyone gave him guidance, it was Erwin. If there was anyone who he felt the most comfortable around. It was Erwin. He did not speak to Erwin much in the last couple years leading up to the Knights death. There was so much work to be done, so he could not check in often.. Regardless, his respect and love for the man never faded.. and this loss, to the Kortrevich, felt like the loss of another father figure.. He would mourn for a long while, surely.

 

Godan was so cruel in his choosing. 

 

[GMRO 5251]

Karl Sigmar did fervently pray for his knight tutor's life into the Seven Skies. Ser Erwin had been appointed to the boy as a man to teach him the truth of the world. he had done so to the best of his ability, Karl thought at least. "The flower of knighthood and a rising house has faded, it is surely the hope that one will achieve his dream."

[Gandhi 2674]

Ser August Barclay shed a tear or two as the news of Ser Erwin's death had arrived, his cousin and fellow Crow Knight had been executed.

He clutched a hand to his chest, laid over his breastplate - nearing his heart before promptly dipping his head.

"Du might nicht have died in ein field battle, skirmish, nor ein siege defending the Kongzem und her allies; but du're ein martyr, und Ich will remember du."

The Ser concluded with a final, sharp exhale.

[__Stal27 262]

Adhemar Dusek would have read through the missive detailing the death of Ser Erwin Bishop, the man that had implemented words within the mind of the young page, telling him that he was destined to great feats “You have the gaze of your Mother and the Demeanour of your Father young Morovar.”, the words would ring and repeat within the head of the young page, he would have tossed the missive that had been handed to him. His eyes tearing, he would step outside the halls of Ghaestenwald, quickly mounting his steed as he rode off with a retinue of two once more, “Watch over us.. Ea will do what vy willed for Ser Erwin.” He would have stated riding his mount as the pair among him simply looked to him as they knew better then to speak. “Gone, but Niet forgotten.”

Edited February 13, 2022 by Armod

[Capt_Chief26 1205]

Ser Reinhardt Barclay gritted his teeth when word had reached him of the murders of Ser Erwin and his Squire Sigmar, the shock of the news stunning him to the point where the only response he could utter was “What….” He responded to the young Brotherhood initiate who’d informed him. He thought long and hard about the times he and Erwin had spent together, the time the young Bishop had saved his life and earned the right to become his squire. He remembered the glories they shared through their mentor and apprentice relationships, and fondly remembered the day he was finally christened as a full brother of the knightly orders of Hanseti-Ruska. The rage he began to feel boiling up in his core brought him out of his reminiscent state, until it boiled over and consumed the Meyster Knight. With a might heave, he toppled one of the heavy oak tables in his tavern, shattering the pint glass he had been drinking some fine beer out of. Through rage filled eyes he uttered one phrase to the young surprised  soldier before him.. “zhey will die, brother…. Phillip und his Wretched Frau… their heretic followers… none will be spared the wrath of Gott.. he will judge them..” looks to the soldier now “ the mighty blade of Haense will remove their heads from their shoulders und send them to Gott for their final Judgment!…”

 

Edited February 13, 2022 by Capt_Chief26

[_mady07 1104]

Otte bishop took in a deep breath.. age has caused her face to wrinkle as her gaze moved to the children Erwin has left behind. "Z'he time is now mea little neices and nephews.." she whisperd with a look of pure shock and anguish. The old lady turned on her feet and fled to the roads her journey far.

[Keegan7om 31]

August Bishop  stood in the confines of his room, writing a letter, when the death of his trusted brother had reached him. As he read the letter a single tear slid down the man's bearded face as he took his hand up to his face mouth. He stood from his lantern lit desk and wobbled over to his bed. After a moment of standing in silence he reaches under his bed and grabs a bottle from underneath his bed.

 

After a few moments of sad drinking he groans out, "It can't be!" He then returns to his desk laying his head upon it, and sadly sitting there for a few hours.

 

[CopOwl 1668]

Adrianna Darkwood was surprised. She was crying.

 

She had come to dread the messenger approaching her, even though it was mostly letters from abroad or medical emergencies nowadays.

But so many times had a grim-faced messenger come up to her with letter in hand to inform her of the passing of someone she loved.

She didn't love Erwin anymore, her heart had grown too numb by now that she wondered whether she had ever loved him. When he gave her gifts as children, when he consoled her after her father's death. When she saw the smile fill his young face... They had been close friends, and for a brief time she had wondered whether she was destined to become the Matriarch of House Bishop.

 

But it simply wasn't meant to be. She felt betrayed by him. He had flourished and she had withered... 

She had grown old and tired. What had been a medical provision - carrying carrion on her person at all times - had now become her folly. 

 

House Bishop had grown and prospered but her family had all left her.

Charles had disappeared, Irina was gone.. And now even Lorenz was being swept up by the war propaganda. 

 

But she was surprised. She was crying. 

And he was dead.