Fionn__TWG 2616 Popular Post Share Posted May 14, 2022 The Straw That Broke the Baron’s Back Spoiler The Baron of Sigradz sat alone in his office, the cold wind of the deep night outside slowly seeping into the room through an open window. Before the man, a mountain of papers scrunched up and tossed aside littered his desk, with only a few proper parchments before him, written and signed moments ago. As he looked over the missives, a wave of doubt slowly filled him; Were these letters even needed? Perhaps he had simply been thinking too much about the day ahead, as he tended to do during his nights of pondering, though as much as he wanted to say no, life was cruel in its unpredictability, as it had been to him before. With a sense of hesitation, Konstanz folded the letters up, sealing them with his personal seal and handing them to his personal servants. “If I’m nicht back within the week, send these out.” Thus did the Baron then make his way to his chambers, the last time he would do so. Soon, the next afternoon had made its way onto the northern Kingdom of Almaris, and the squire stood outside the Nikarala, donning the full plate of his house, and patiently waiting for his companion of the day to arrive. His eyes made their way out into the square, falling momentarily on each of the subjects going about their business; drinking by the tavern, bartering with local merchants, or simply conversing with the fellow passersby. He took the time to imagine what each conversation was about, what each person was thinking, what their story may have been. His pondering was finally interrupted as a nudge was felt on his ankle, the man looking down to spot the individual he had been patiently waiting for. Gloves, a white fox belonging to Princess Amadea, who he had convinced to let him bring the animal along. He would bend down to pluck the rotund canine from the ground, giving her a pat before gently placing her within a spare saddlebag which hung off his horse. As he mounted the steed, he spotted the Baroness Sorina making her way to the Palace. As his horse sauntered towards the docks, he quickly called out to her. “Lady Sorina, tell Amadea I’ll be back with Gloves soon!” Without waiting for a response, Konstanz was already gone, his mount galloping off towards the direction of Ghaestenwald. The mountain range surrounding the seat of House Morovar was a treacherous one, made wet with the light drizzles, the squire forced by the terrain to tie his steed to a fence post by the main gate of the keep and make his way out on foot. His gear would clank off of each other and his armour as he stepped and leaped over the holes around him, the sounds of metal and wood scraping accompanied by the low pants of Gloves, struggling to keep up as they trekked through the hilly environment. Step by step, the duo would drag themself up and down the mountains of the Orenian Heartlands, before their travels presented them with the ruins of New Esbec. Konstanz’ hands went to his back, unstrapping his spear and shield from his back as he looked towards the larger buildings of the ruins, though only silence met him and his partner whilst doing so. AS the last building was searched, however, a shriek was heard from the south, Konstanz rushing in the direction with Gloves right behind, the two stopping right at a bush as their eyes looked up to witness a titanic avian atop the hill ahead. As the rain let up, however, the two found themselves relieved to realise it was simply a statue. Their relief quickly washed away however as the monument’s lively counterpart descended to perch atop it. The crowdrake before them was massive, larger than Konstanz had ever anticipated. Its jet black wings made it stand out against the clear skies of the central continent, and its golden eyes were able to be made out. Its beak, protruding far from its head, looked like it rivalled the length of a small child, with the size of one too. As the squire kept his eyes on the beast above, its beak opened up to unleash yet another shriek, this time stunning the man completely as he could only watch it fly off. But as the effect wore out, the Baron quickly scaled the mountain ahead, soon making his way up on the level of the statue, weapon and shield still in hand. The skies seemed clear all around, Konstanz’ eyes scouring it several times, until he noticed a black shape ahead. It swooped down towards him, eyes dead ahead and its wings flapping furiously, the wind generated crashing against the grass below, sending a sound almost as deafening as its cries to his ears. Though the squire raised his shield high and his spear raised higher, preparing for the skirmish to ensue. What seemed like hours had passed, and Konstanz and the crowdrake were on level ground, both wounded and desperate as they stared at each other for a moment that felt as if it would never pass. Konstanz leaned on his left foot, his right ankle sprained and hindering his performance since the bird’s first drop of him onto the hard ground below. His shield was on the ground, and his spear had been swapped over to his left hand, his right arm shattered beyond current use by his second drop onto the earth. The avian before him, having gotten devastating hits of its own on the man, was not in the best state either, two stabs deep into its legs flowing with blood, and the azhl effects from his spear worsening its state. Though it was in a bad state, it could still flee. Konstanz, however, was completely at its mercy. As the two stood off, he would begin to pray, to God, to Exalted Sigismund, to Saint Tylos and Saint Nicholas, anyone he could think of, to bestow the man a miracle and make the beast before him retreat, as it had twice already. Twice had he been given the opportunity to run, and twice had his pride prevented him from doing so. No one before had dared to return from a Knight’s Quest midway, and he wasn’t going to be the first. Though as he struggled to keep his footing, he began to realise how generous the titan ahead had been. All he could hear throughout the scenario was the low barks of Gloves behind him, trying her best to distract the creature, but to no avail. After what felt like an eternity, the beast moved, flapping its wings for elevation as its claws wrapped around him once again. For the third time, Konstanz had been granted a bird’s eye view of the lands around him. Though he couldn’t afford a moment’s glance. His eyes stayed dead ahead and above, towards the cutoff between fleshy legs and boney feet. With all his remaining strength, the Baron faced his spear’s head at this point. If he could hit it twice before, he could manage once more, perhaps even dig it deep enough to wedge it, to provide a platform to hang on for dear life. He held his breath, not allowing anything to prevent him from succeeding. At what may have been the worst time, the azhl had finally taken significant effect on the crowdrake, its talons slowly opening up to drop the Baron to the valley below. The slow opening however had caused Konstanz to slip slightly, sending a nervous shake throughout his body, before he thrusted forward with all his might. All his weak body mustered was a jab against the keratin of the avian’s leg. The crowdrake had fully released his grip, and once more Konstanz was sent plummeting down into the chasm below. The force from bashing into his opponent’s bone had sent him spinning, his gaze rapidly switching between scenes of the green grass below, and the blue skies above, with a glint of white from Gloves’ fur and the black feathers of his target being noticeable every now and then. The squire’s breathing had begun once again, and its rhythm was constant as Konstanz emitted a panicked, deep breath, a wide and panicked look in his eyes under his dirty helmet accompanying such. His mind rushed in all directions as time seemed to slow for him. His thoughts first went to Gloves, who he could see was helplessly spectating his final moments; what was to happen to the poor pet without him to guide her home? What would Amadea even think if she returned home without him, or not at all? Home. Reinmar. His parents; what were they to think of their son who was set to carry on their legacy, now set to lie dead in a vast mountain range outside of their homeland? His Duchy to inherit, mere miles away to the north, felt a lifetime away. A life he was doomed to never lead, with a Duchess by his side. Viktoriya; what would she do? She had just lost her mother mere months ago, what was she to do with a second loss to grieve? Would she move on given time, or would she wait to be reunited with him? He wouldn’t blame her if she were to do the former, he had to do the same before. His pondering was cut short, as he had realised the greenery below was about to seize his entire sight, and soon his life. Slowly did he close his dry eyes, the wind which rushed against them preventing any tears from forming, and he awaited the inevitable. His frame crashed against the hard ground below, the death near instant, though a comfort his soul wouldn’t have the pleasure of enjoying. The crowdrake above, hurt in its own right, gave out one last shriek before crash landing into a nearby hill, Gloves the only one around to hear. As the seconds passed, Konstanz’ eyes were abandoned by the temporary darkness, and his sight was greeted by a sight so familiar yet so foreign, a sight he couldn’t describe. Though he knew where he had been sent. Nowhere else would he be greeted by the presence of Baron and Dukes past, their consorts by their sides, and a sympathetic look on each of their faces as they looked down at the man who sat at the entrance to the Seven Skies. Finally did the tears begin to form on his face, reality slowly setting in as he would bury his face in his hands, sobbing uncontrollably. The presence of his ancestors did nothing to console him, for he knew deep down. It was his pride that had condemned him to this fate. His pride was the straw that broke the Baron’s back. In the days that followed, those letters were finally sent out to those they had been addressed to; To my parents, Johann and Georgina: @Frymark @kaylaa Spoiler I was never ready to take up the mantle that you two hold upon your shoulders. The fact you read this letter before you is proof of such. However, the standard you have set for me, and now Johanna, to follow is nothing short of exceptional, and the legacy you leave behind shall be talked about for generations to come, I know it. I will always be proud to call you two my parents, regardless of the arguments we may have had in the past, and I wait for the day you shall join me and our Waldenian brethren in the Seven Skies, whether that wait is two days or two decades. To my siblings, Sibylla, Aloisa, and Eugen: @CupOTea__@MotherLay@__Stal27 Spoiler Dealing with you three was never easy, but my time with you was always enjoyable, whether we left the dinner table as friends or enemies. Sibylla, walking you down the aisle in father’s stead to Lord Pyotr was one of my proudest moments, and I wish you the best wishes in your new life with House Ludovar. Aloisa, seeing you with Prince Sergei has always made me envy your luck with love, and I truly hope the happiness you feel now shall remain until you join me up here. And Eugen, whatever woman you are with now, I know you will treat her well. You were always a man of quantity, but also quality. I shall watch over you all always, and I look forward to the day we shall reunite in Gott’s Paradise. To the now Baroness, Johanna: @Zaerie Spoiler I know we have never spoken much, sister, but I hold the highest expectations for you. You may have been sickly the past few decades, but you have learned much in your studies, surprisingly more than me. You have the knowledge of a millennia old scholarly elf, and I know you will forge a great legacy that I will never know the privilege of creating. Until we meet again. To my great-grandfather, Friedrich: @ColdestPepsi Spoiler It pains me to admit I shall never reach your expextations. Despite what you have always wished of me, I shall never continue on the family name, for I have joined ours in the Skies. I shall never know the joy of a long life, though I have always looked up to you for how long you have endured, through ease and hardship. Whether we shall see each other within the coming years or perhaps centuries, which you may well last, you old bastard, I know I’ll still have much to learn once you ascend. To Dame Mariya: @EnderMaiashiro Spoiler I have failed you. You have put all your efforts into training me to continue on after you, but now it is you who continues on after me. Do not blame my death on yourself; it is merely the wish of Gott that I have ascended so soon. But the lessons you have given to me, though their usefulness has drastically reduced, shall always stay with me. May your tenure as a Knight be long and fruitful, and may we meet again in the Skies, Dame. To Ser Reinhardt: @Capt_Chief26 Spoiler Do not feel guilty for the fate that has befell me. I set on this journey knowing the risks, and I have paid the price Gott has deemed fit. You could never have known that I would never return, and that I understand. I shall pray from up here for every squire that sets out on their final quests, so that they do not suffer such a death as I have that may riddle the table with guilt. Serve dutifully, and may we meet again in the Skies, Ser. To Princess Amadea, Prince Matyas and Matyas Baruch: @shay@gusanoarentonio@Chris (Acaele) Spoiler You three are the reason I pushed myself to move on from the Princess of Savoy, and find myself a wife I can love, and while I may now never have the need for a wife or Duchess, the effort you three gave, especially Matyas Baruch in allowing me and Viktoriya to meet in the NGS building, has provided my final years with more happiness than I have experienced before. And to Amadea, I apologise if Gloves does not return. I did not expect myself to be the one that perished. May your own loves prosper under Gott and I’s watch, and may we speak again once your times have come. To Adrian and Juliya: @StrongBear@Vic Spoiler While others had swayed me to give love another chance, I cannot forget your own efforts, however effective they may have been, to match Viktoriya and I, and for that you have my eternal thanks. While you two may never get the speech I promised you at our wedding, I give you full permission to torture my ears with your words all day long once you two join me up here. Never change, even if you two are cretins. To Viktoriya: @Itz_Cookie Spoiler Words cannot express the pain I feel from up here as I look down to you, knowing of the life we may never have together. But if I must love someone for all eternity, I cannot feel any more joy in knowing it is you. In my 24 years of life, you were one of, if not the best thing that has happened to me. Every day with you I felt as if I had been unfairly rewarded by Gott with your presence. Whether we talked, raced, or baked poorly, I had never left your side with a hint of anything other than happiness in my heart. The joy you gave me when you said yes to my proposal still lingers, even as I pass on. I know that you may move on, it is only natural to do so, but know that I shall always wait up here for your arrival, even if I must do so for a thousand years or more, and every day I shall raise a glass to my rose, Viktoriya. 44 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frymark 2792 Share Posted May 14, 2022 (edited) [!] A year from now, the Duke of Reinmar would kneel before a gravestone, next to the rose fields of his home. The aged man took out a picture and a candle, lighting it up while singing quietly to himself, alone. Spoiler Edited May 14, 2022 by Frymark 17 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaylacita 1018 Share Posted May 14, 2022 The mother of the lost Baron hovered over a mound of work, the size of which never seemed to shrink. It took little time for the news to reach her, as well as for the woman to begin weeping for her son, her sobs interspersed with hacking, bloody coughs. In these moments, she considered her ailment a blessing; one which would soon reunite them. 18 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramon 3965 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Tylos II trashes his entire office for the second time throughout the entirety of his Pontificate 10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MotherLay 815 Share Posted May 14, 2022 R 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahbarah 5022 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Gloves, the fat and rotund fox, trudged back into Karosgrad with a notable frown, yet not a single scratch! Nonetheless, the fox most certainly missed her companion Konstanz. 12 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coolcod77 586 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Sergei Aleksandr removed his circlet at the announcement of the death of his brother-in-law, a frown forming upon his visage as he looked around for the whereabouts of his wife. Edmund Barclay poured one out for the Baron of Sigradz, another life taken too soon. "Wer rastet der rostet." He then raised his mug, in honour of his ancestors. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gandhi 2708 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Ser August prayed dutifully for the soul of his future liege. 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissToni 3487 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Erika Barclay walked off to Reinhardt, knowing her father would need the comfort more than she would. Once finding him, her arms would wrap around him and hold him. @Capt_Chief26 7 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zaerie 3414 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Spoiler Johanna would receive word of her brothers passing and her hands would shake. She had always lived quietly, thinking she could just pass the time through art or reading as she thought her sickly body held her back from aspiring to anything greater. She walked down the hall towards her room, looking further down her eyes rested on her brothers old bedroom door. “You would’ve known what to do, where would you have started?” she’d turn quickly and go into her room, flopping on her bed with her arms splayed above her. “I’ll figure it out, I’ll make you proud. Don't worry, Kon, you just rest. I'll take it from here.” 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnderMaiashiro 663 Share Posted May 14, 2022 (edited) Mariya's hands shook as she received a letter, just after Konstanz's trial should have ended. Yet there had been no word from him. Her expression soon turned to one of sorrow, her brows knit as she folded the letter, setting it on the desk before her, "Du are nicht ein failure Konstanz, if anything, Ich have failed du. I should nicht have left you to go on this quest. Ich should have spoken up at the meeting mein fears of the trial when we voted. Ich should have trained du more." With this, Mariya turned, the aging knight descending to the depths of the tavern, retrieving a sword from her personal belongings. "Ein Grosse Messer, made by mein grossmuter for mein grossvater. It protected me during my knight's quest, and it should have protected du in yours. But... It will be with you now in the seven skies, until I can be there for you." Mariya went to wrap the blade with a green and blue cloth, resting by the door ready to go to the funeral later that month for her former squire. Tying the cloth together would be a short length of rope and a feather from her helmet's plume. Edited May 15, 2022 by EnderMaiashiro 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt_Chief26 1205 Share Posted May 14, 2022 (edited) Ser Reinhardt sat in his office, reading the letter that his nephew had wrote to him, tears streaming down his face as poured himself a tall glass of scotch gulping it down. He whispered within the quiet of his study “ ich failed to train you hard enough, lad. Ich feel responsible for this, ich should’ve had you fight a skywhale. Ich promise ich will avenge du, skybound prince, the creature that took du from us will taste the steel of mein blade.” He hummed a tune under his breath as he drank his sorrows away. Edited May 14, 2022 by Capt_Chief26 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itz_Cookie 1735 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Viktoriya sat at her desk after retriving the delivered letter. Excitement soon switched to heartbreak, though she smiled and recalled the memories they made and imagined the ones she'd make alone for them both.. 16 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liokv 167 Share Posted May 14, 2022 Herman clutches tight to a flask of Carrion marked with the initials of K.B. 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThanksChris 589 Share Posted May 14, 2022 (edited) Matyas Baruch swung arm after arm into the dingy leathern punchbag around which he and his cousin the Baron Sigradz had shared so many training sessions, contests, and conversations. Konstanz had lamented the loss of Renata to him there. The pair had come to blows there once over a debt from one of their many bets - Matyas could eke out a physical victory where luck always seemed to fail him. But Konstanz had impressed him. As much as he jeered his cousin's vanity the Barclay's hook was getting stronger... was. Konstanz first declared his interest in Viktoriya to Matyas in this very place, both boys drenched with sweat, grinning, and speaking between desperate chugs of water. "Not" - THWACK - "Fockin'' - THWACK - "Again!" He continued thrashing the inanimate dummy, alone, until his fists bled and his body screamed so loudly for respite that grief for his dear cousin could be put out of his mind. Edited May 14, 2022 by Chris (Acaele) 8 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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