THE CYCLE OF WAR

[Petsch2k 1100]

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THE CYCLE OF WAR

 

 

 

[!] Some where in the lands of the former Orenian Empire

It was a gloomy day, the aftermath of the civil war was becoming a harsh reality for the loyalists, while the victors rejoiced and continued their eradication of anything that hinted of Oren. One could see multiple fires in the distant areas of the former Capital of Oren, there have been news going around that Confederates were burning down the manors of the rich - giving back to the people they say as they loot from their coffers. 

 

 

Petsch von Minitz & Johann von Freimark were walking down the dirt road that led through the lands of Rivia, they were traveling back to Minitz after exploring some lands down south. Suddenly the encounter someone else on the road - a young boy. He began to question the two almost immediately - asking for who they fought for, for who they swore their allegiance too. Petsch & Johann were both visibly confused, they young boy looked angry, frustrated as if he lost everything dear to him. As the conversation went on Petsch tried to calm the boy down but to no avail . . .Alexandre would not calm down.

 

Alexandre Yanis de Rochefort moved his hand to the hilt of shortsword “I fought for Rivia against Acre, I stood as my brother was kidnapped and mutilated by the farmers. As my father's illness worsened, they too betrayed the crown. They betrayed their rightful liege” the young Rochefort spat on the dirt road in disgust “I’m no Rivian, and I am no farmer. I am an Orenian, a Royalist and shall be until my death!.” 

 

Alexandre seemed to be distraught, angry and was looking for something or someone to take his anger out on. “Hmh.” The reinmaren man's grip on his longsword tightened  - he began to slowly unsheathe it from its scabbard “You betray yourself, lad. Oren is no more, there is peace and freedom now. Renounce your false Kings and Dynasties and we’ll let you go.” Just moments after, Petsch’s fear became reality.

 

Alexandre unsheathed his shortsword.

 

 As he slowly stepped towards the side, reaching for a horse whistle “I am loyal to my King and his true heirs”. Petch's heart sank knowing his brother-in-arms had no qualms in dispatching those who call themselves loyalists regardless of their age. He turned to Alexandre, taking a few hurried steps forward just behind Johann “No, young man no!” he yelled out to him in an attempt to diffuse the situation. “Acre kidnapped my brother, they took out his eyes” his tone increasingly frustrated, he did not seem to hear Petsch “My father always taught me to stay true to my liege”. Johann began to step towards the boy now, the man fully unsheathing his own blade “As long as one of them lives, we’ll never have peace” he grumbled “You have no liege, You’re free. Act on it, not on false and gone loyalties”.

 

Alexandre started to sprint away, not willing to fight in this scenario, going further to the east as he hurriedly brought his horse whistle to his lips as he began to blow on it. Petsch wrinkled his brows as he followed behind Johann placing his hand firmly on Johann's shoulder in an attempt to stop him “Brother we don’t need to kill a kid” he said trying to reason with his brother. Johann shoved Petsch’s hand from his shoulder as he continued to move after Alexandre - now both hands wrapped around the blade’s handle. The young man moved quickly, hoping the reinmaren’s armor slowed his movement.

 

Petsch, determined, started to dash towards Johann attempting to tackle the man “Johann no!” he grunted as he went after his brother-in-arms. As the boy continued to run, the whistle call was answered by a galloping horse approaching in the distance, sheathing his blade he was getting ready to quickly mount. Johann let out a yelp as he was tackled - the man falling forwards towards the stones. In a rather desperate attempt, he’d wave his longsword outwards as he fell in an attempt to scare the boy, but to no avail. Petsch fell alongside him towards the stones grunting “He’s just a damn kid Johann . . a kid! He probably lost it all!”.

 

As the boy mounted his horse he’d let out his anger at the two as he readied himself onto the saddle “GO AWAY FARMER SCUM, IDIOTS, GOD HATES YOU”. With the final outburst the boy rode off into the distance. Johann clambered up from the ground, accompanied by a multitude of grunts and huffs, he turned to Petsch “And what if that kid leads a Royal Army back here in a decade? What if he - not wishing to give up his beliefs - murders a Acrean family while they sleep at their farm? Or burn down the crops so they all starve?” he frowned, shaking his head as he looked at Petsch standing up dusting himself off. “Is that justice for them then, brother? Is that Honorable?”

 

Petsch wore a serious expression as he wrinkled his brows looking towards Johann “What if that, what if this” he repeated “What if that boy leads a peaceful life?” he shot back a question as he patted himself down.

 

“One day” Johann paused momentarily releasing a deep breath while sheathing his longsword back into its scabbard “The Orenians will return to reforge their Empire. One day, we’ll face them again.” He’d study his reinmaren brother for a moment, letting out one final huff “I’d rather face one less.” he rolled his shoulders a bit as a few bits of dust were shaken off. Johann began to walk off grumbling something about radicalized youth.

 

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Spoiler

 

Edited August 16, 2022 by Petsch2k

[OwOrc 355]

The mentioned boy read the missive and a wrathful fire burned in his eyes, one which quickly sated as he took several deep breaths "Canonism preaches peace, but as Owyn did to Harren,  it is known that men are flawed. I might of spared no quarter should we have crossed blades. Perhaps in another world. I could of led a Royalist army to reclaim the King's throne. Though what would the point be? Destruction and death is all that war brings with it. Destruction of Canonist homes, death of Canonist men. All that matters is GOD and his word.." The recently devoted boy said solemnly, throwing the missive into the fire, and with it his loyalty to the former Kingdom.

[argonian 12844]

Stanimar mentally notes to never get on Johann's bad side.

[HIGH_FIRE 4140]

54 minutes ago, TheEnglishDuck said:

The mentioned boy read the missive and a wrathful fire burned in his eyes, one which quickly sated as he took several deep breaths "Canonism preaches peace, but as Owyn did to Harren,  it is known that men are flawed. I might of spared no quarter should we have crossed blades. Perhaps in another world. I could of led a Royalist army to reclaim the King's throne. Though what would the point be? Destruction and death is all that war brings with it. Destruction of Canonist homes, death of Canonist men. All that matters is GOD and his word.." The recently devoted boy said solemnly, throwing the missive into the fire, and with it his loyalty to the former Kingdom.

Drako Darkwood wonders, merely a day after his own interaction with the child in Balian, to nobody he would speak "I wonder if that Rochefort realises that kinslaying is one of the greatest sins in canonism" He chuckles quietly to himself before preparing for an important dinner

[OwOrc 355]

14 hours ago, HIGH_FIRE said:

Drako Darkwood wonders, merely a day after his own interaction with the child in Balian, to nobody he would speak "I wonder if that Rochefort realises that kinslaying is one of the greatest sins in canonism" He chuckles quietly to himself before preparing for an important dinner

The Rochefort.. Doesn't understand his point