[PK] By Bones and Barrows

[Shmeepicus 4213]

By Bones and Barrows

 

     Ivan was aloft in Haense- walking about and enjoying the evening, though the civil war had begun and he was not in a relaxed mood. He kicked about for a while until a bird reached him from one of his nieces. It informed him of an attack on Vuillermoz- one that involved a singular woman and a handful of children and so he gathered a group of men and rode out.

 

     They arrived- the small skirmish went poorly and although the loyalists tried their best they were eventually overwhelmed. Ivan was taken- he did not know who else survived. He was ridden across land he knew- he glanced at it all.. Reutov, Mardon, Pruvia, Pompourelia.. he had grown up here! He had served the entirety of his life to put the Empire in a better place. Sleepless nights, long days, he had done what he could to make the land of Oren a better place to be.. though it was not enough for some.

 

As they got into Providence, he was ordered off his horse- then dragged through the streets of a place he once called home. He was brought before the gates and then to the palace, where he was dropped upon the floor.

 

     “So.. nephew..”, he uttered, a foul distaste echoing through the courtroom. “Vy send men to harm children and their guardian? How brave of vy.”

 

     The Duke was brought to his knees by an armoured figure, the plated man walking forth - void of words, aiming to stand with the King of Oren. A quiet murmur was exchanged betwixt them.

 

     “Shut up.” The Bastard of Reutov muttered, spitting in the direction of his father.

 

     “Ah.. a most benevolent ruler- beating a helpless woman and threatening the children of a house who have yet to pledge allegiance to any side.”

 

     A declaration was presented to Ivan in that moment, dropped at his face- he read over it swiftly.. it stated that the Vuiller’s were against Frederick. Ivan’s face turned into that of amusement- he began laughing softly. “These are vyr retainers? Are they daft?” His laughter continued to grow, again it echoed throughout the near empty courtroom. “Do vy even know who the current Lord of House Vuiller is..? That is niet the lord, vy ******* oaf!” 

 

     “I would not be speaking smart when in chains, Duke.” This voice was familiar- one of his bastards’ retainers, Edmond de Rouen. 

 

     “The reigning ‘Sovereign’ knows much of his vassals.” Ivan glanced up at Frederick then, a solemn gaze upon his face. “Do vy seek authority through fear then?” He questioned, gazing upon his nephew, looking for any show of remorse or emotion. “Do vy find honour in beating children and women, nephew?” 

 

     Frederick paced the dais- glancing down at his Uncle every few moments. “Here we stand, uncle. Here we are.. two sides of opposing spectrums-.. Edmond, tell me what transpired at Vuillermoz.”

 

     So they spoke, Ivan sat in chains on the floor of the marbled hall he once watched over, listening to the two men exchange words. He believed most of what they said to be false, though he didn’t know much of what was going on anymore. He knew that kin had been turned against kin, blood against blood. He knew that he was at the peak of an age that would see the end of the entirety of everything they had ever worked for, ground to dust in a few months time. Minutes passed.. half an hour, even.. and he finally glanced up, summoning the courage to speak. 

 

     “Say what vy wish, nephew. I did what I believed to be right- protecting the innocent.. if vy decide to have me killed for it-..” he paused for a few moments, speaking again-, “if vy decide to have me killed for it, so be it.”

 

     The King gazed about for a moment- it seemed like his thoughts were plaguing him- yet he turned to Ivan, his face stoic and resolute. “Uncle, I offer you this. To declare the Duchy of Reutov in support of my cause and end your involvement with the feud of my brother.”

 

     Ivan var Ruthern was adamant- he shook his head firmly. “I can niet agree with something I do niet believe in, nephew.”

 

     Victoria, his niece, gazed upon him with sad eyes, “Uncle, please! Take the offer!” 

 

     “Nie.. vy can kill me here, but know that it will change nothing.”

     Frederick replied, “you are not my problem. Andre, he is yours. Do as you wish.”

 

     Ivan muttered a handful of prayers then, glancing up at his nephew. “I love vy, Frederick. Vy are my kin, I can niet do what I do niet believe in. I pray God finds vy before vy pass.”

     He uttered those final words, glancing upwards as Andrezj raised the Ivanovich warhammer above his head- “Ave Imperium,” Ivan muttered- as it came down upon him. He slumped to the floor, family members above on the dais dazed as they watched what the cost of civil war was. Blood oozed from his head as his body instinctively had him gasp at air- though it did not have any effect. The Duke of Reutov, Ivan var Ruthern, was dead.

 

** Letters would be delivered to his wife and children a few days following his death.**

[Pancho 4197]

Treble the Patriot had been called by his countrymen. Where the civil war had broken out, children were being slaughtered by the King’s men, thus he heeded the call. He had witnessed the battle, helping fell three men before retreating. As he had watched the kings men drag away his friend, he would sign the Lorraine. “Your death shall not be in vain my friend, may God shine his light and lead the path to victory.”

[Franczhiz 4437]

Venerable Joseph Sarkozic welcomed Ivan into the Seven Skies. Gesturing to the world under them, specifically to Providence. "Them, who aid this most cruel and uncanonist reign, shall surely suffer in the Void for their crimes committed against humanity. And now, it is only getting started."

[Guest]

Pavel Ivanovich hears the news and muses, "So the Mace of Krajia claims another. Good riddance." 

[kujo_ 2510]

“It is done,” A cloaked man whispers. He lingered in the forest outside of Reutov, bringing a knife to wood and carving a line. “Free at last, my Ivan.”

[Taketheshot 3834]

Leopold Edwin frowned immensely as he read of the missive, "Oh..." was all the boy could speak, followed by a few split words. "Oh Rina... No.." the next few days would not be easy as he rushed off to find his friend

[Azie 657]

Lorena Theodosia would face the gleaming sunset with remorse as her orbs faltered in sodden. "What to do..." She would say with stillness yet allowing her voice to echo in bellowed screams. Finally, the Princess would look towards her younger sister, a frown settling in deepened sorrow.

@grnappa

 

[M1919 2298]

 

 

 

 

 

Regardless of whatever views of justice any soul may have had, a recently anointed knight's determination would bring about the treatment of Lord Ivan's remains.

 

The acting patriarch for House de Vilain would send out a singular letter to the sovereign Lord Ivan had pledged himself to. The details were straightforward, informing the reader of the lord's fate, the location of the pyre used, and lastly his possessions that he had on him when the funeral occurred. Not one area of the discourse brandished flattery and spoke of the act as only a man's duty in chivalry. 

 

This was courtesy paid to a warrior, performed only by Sir Gustaf.

 

[cherrybud 423]

Ekaterina had watched her father part from Haense, anxiously awaiting his return as she paced the unfamiliar streets of Karosgrad that had allowed them refuge. Though she wished the dreaded moment had not arrived when she received the letter, opening it only to hear of her fathers passing. The young Ruthern stood motionless, rereading the letter over and over refusing to believe it's contents. "Ave Imperium!" being the only words she was able to speak, those of anger and fear, until finally the poor girl wept for her father. 

 

[jarebear23 29]

Garith’s head bowed in reverence upon hearing this news. 

 

“Aye, because this is what the Empress would’ve wanted,” he spoke with a tone dripping in bitter sarcasm. “Who knew that Frederick grappled with such insecurity, being the runt of the litter. He would stoop so low to kill the good Duke— what he fails to realize is that this action simply strengthens Peter’s cause.” He shook his head. “I was hopeful that I would get to know Ivan better some day. May he rest now.”

[Burnsider 4566]

Spoiler

We were enemies on the battlefield more than once, but, man, this is a badass way to go. Salute! 

 

[Apotolofo 2204]

Hera bright sat beneath a courtroom window, eyes wide in horror as she listened to the commotion. "Ave imperium." A sickening crack sounded, the thump of a body slumping over soon following. She flinched violently, letting out a sharp cry before pressing a hand against her mouth. She took a shuddering breath, tears leaking from her squeezed shut eyes. She opens her eyes slightly to gaze upon her newly made friend, eyes filled with horror. She thinks back to her recent words... I think I am going to like my new home, here. Oh how much could change in the span of a few hours...  

[RedeemedAidan 1125]

8 hours ago, Aech said:

She opens her eyes slightly to gaze upon her newly made friend, eyes filled with horror.

 

Aldrych Gendik sits beneath the window next to Hera as the court takes place... As he listens his eyes go a wide, the youth filled with utter terror. He gazes up at the weeping Hera. Though he stays speechless, many thoughts running through the boy... After a moment of shock, a tear emits under his eye, even though he doesn't know the man who just breathed his last. Though he did know one thing, it was wrong.  Aldrych at that point unsure what to do, or even think, arises from beneath the window and rushes home, as quick as his small legs can carry...