A Knight's Penance [PK]

[grnappa 1230]

A Knight's Penance

 

13th Godfrey’s Triumph, 1909

 

~Sir Brandt Berhal, Second Knight Paramount of Petra, standing atop the ruins of Mount Garmont, circa 1901~

 

A fishing boat gently rocks upon the River Petra.

 

The fisherman waits...

 

The fisherman throws his spear.

 

He eats well that night.

 

The fisherman does not eat unless he takes a risk… he must put himself in the hands of the ever-cleansing yet cruel waters of the River Petra. He must fight those fish that outweigh him many times over, even when the odds are insurmountable. For it is that struggle that keeps the fisherman fed and fit, allowing him to repeat that cycle. Perhaps it was this lifestyle that put the young man on the road to Knighthood. Perhaps it was this lifestyle that would gain him the respect of his fellow Knights in the battles to come...

 

And yet, it was this life-style that would lead to his demise.

Sir Brandt Berhal took a deep breath as a letter entered his mailbox from his childhood friend, the Duke Constanz. The former Knight Paramount was retired from the warrior class as he enjoyed a relatively peaceful retirement. That is until he heard of the threats made against his friend’s safety. A Foreign Army was reported to arrive soon and take Duke Constanz away, perhaps never to be seen again. “This would not come to pass” he would reassure himself, grabbing his antiquated armor and marching to the aid of Constanz, the man who gave him a chance when no one else would. He would defend him with his life. If lucky, both would survive. If he wasn’t lucky, he knew Constanz would still be protected.

 

[!]

“It is not our enemies who define us. It is the land we toil, the river that feeds us, and the trees that give us shade that make us Petrans. Never, NEVER, let them take your identity from you. Never give up.”

-Archduke Constanz of Petra @Eddywilson2

[!]

 

His words, in the heat of all that was chaos about the land, brought the chaotic world about him one step closer to normalcy. His calming presence, despite the entropy that surrounded him, infected those that served with him, pushing them to do great deeds: a common fate of those who use the cleansing waters of the River Petra to their advantage. It is that strength that enabled Sir Brandt Berhal all these years.

 

Yet, in Constanz’s greatest hour of need, Brandt had failed him.

Castle Moere was an outdated stronghold; several weaknesses were apparent to any attacker. The battle was bloody, the foe were many, yet the Knights of Petra stood strong. Against all odds, they kept Renilde’s foreigners at bay… at least for a little while. It was not until a draconic roar filled the basement chamber and a fire engulfed the defenders of the lower fortress. Upon hearing the roar of the darkspawn, Sir Brandt Berhal was overcome by an emotion that he had not experienced for a long time.

Fear.

 

Gripped by fear, he made his way to the top of the Castle to wait out the assault…When the dust had settled, the carnage was stomach churning. Dead Knights, Petran citizens, and two children who were identified as the Vilac brothers laid upon the stoned floor. Archduke Constanz was taken by the foreigners, though Brandt would soon find out that he would be safe, though he would be missing an eye. Perhaps he would still bear his eye had he been there. Perhaps he would be safe.

 

“The guilt is overwhelming…”

 

“I failed…”

[!]

“We will rise above this, we will stand together, and we will emerge victorious!”
-Sir ‘Wings’ von Draco @MikhaiI
[!]

 

Sir Brandt Berhal woke up in a cold sweat… his conscious befuddled and muddied. His personal guilt overshadowed his previous accomplishments as he racked his mind for his penance… and surprisingly he found his call. He discussed with his Knightly comrade Dame Livia his plan. If successful, he might save his people from foreign intervention. If he failed,

 

Well at least he would earn his penance.

 

Dame Livia and Sir Brandt Berhal made the agonizing journey to Karosgrad, stopping intermittently as Dame Livia was still recovering from her injuries at the assault in Castle Moere. The two made their walk of penance as they felt GOD weigh down upon them. The sounds of the rushing river Petra faded away as it was replaced by the silent, windy tundra of the north. Yet, despite the adversity, the two battered knights made it. These two Knights who now served as diplomats on behalf of their Archduke sought audience with the King of Haense.

 

Their reception was as ice cold as the tundra they resided.

 

Brandt felt a sense of dread as he entered the room as it was filled with armored Knights of the King. The traveler's clothes worn by Livia and Brandt were in stark contrast to them. They set themselves down and brought forward their negotiation points. Yet, the King refused to even acknowledge the claims made by the Petrans… that is until the Prince acknowledged the claims and admitted to his crimes. The King was enraged and launched a fury of insults and blows to the Prince before turning to the diplomats and sentencing them to death, leaving them with an ominous threat: “If your Constanz is so lucky as to muster a pyrrhic victory over Renilde, my army will destroy whatever rump state he forges within the hour.”

[!]

“The best castle a man may have is the support of his people.”

-Sir Louis Valencour d’Azor @Da_Emperors

[!]

 

The jeers of the Haeseni people pierced his ears as he was forcibly led to the fighting pit by a hoard of soldiers. Yet, these words by his friend d’Azor overpowered the harangue as he was given a crude set of armor and a longsword. His opponent whom he was demanded to defeat was Cassius von Draco, a grizzled veteran and a brutal warrior. His consciousness faded back into his mind, his doubt soaring as he faced almost certain demise… Kneeling down, he spoke to the Bishop Iosif as he was given last rites and confessional, yet the words of his comrades swarmed his mind.

 

[!]

“The River Petra offers salvation to the Petran levyman. Yet the hardiest soldiers are found when the drought comes.”

-Sir Arthur ‘the Lionhearted’ de Lyons @Andustar

[!]

 

He no longer heard that beloved river he knew as a child… that forlorn fisherman might not ever see his beloved fishing schooner again. His consciousness was interrupted as the trumpets blared, signaling the fight to begin. 

 

He charged.

 

Locking swords with the von Draco, he began to sweat as the fight continued. Yet, it was clear within the first few exchanges that the von Draco had the upper hand. Doubt returned as his fighting spirit began to fade, dropping his guard as the gladiator exploited the fault in his stance.

 

[!]

“The River provides a great measure of beauty to a world that needs it badly.”

-Dame Livia @koanda

[!]

 

Dame Livia! What was her fate? What would the Haeseni do to her after this fight was concluded? He looked to the stands and saw Dame Livia, swords drawn against her back. The bloodied Brandt sighed as he was struck down the sand, his attention never fully given to the fight as he lay upon the ground. Gritting his teeth, he breathed sharply as he waited for the final blow that would end him.

“I forgive you.” Brandt looked up as he thought he saw his friend Constanz standing just behind the von Draco looming above him. “Your Penance is complete… you may retire, my friend.”

 

A bloody smile drew itself upon the Knight’s face as the gladiator’s sword was plunged into his chest.

 

Brandt was no more.

 

The fisherman lives by the sea

 

The fisherman dies by the sea

 

None shall see his passing

 

Yet the legacy of his kin shall persist

 

Even when he does not.
 

Spoiler

 

[excited 10833]

Sir Paul Montalt added an homage to one of his ledgers.

 

Dame Livia the Stubborn 

 

Sir Brandt the Unyielding

 

Civil war, it was a tragic thing. Paul had fought three of them in his long life. Now, the sister of his long dead friend Emilio at last joined her brother in the rich Petran soil, as did Sir Brandt - both loyal to their Archduke, and rebellious by nature. For that, Paul offered them his respect, but contemplated how many others would have to die before the enemy would sue for peace.

Paul said to his daughter, "Never take solace in war." He said from the ramparts, "Loyalty to The Penny Duke has cost too many already. Live a quiet life, a happy one. When I am gone, do not mourn my loss, for men such as me have shaped this ghastly world you children will inherit. I am sorry, my dear." 

[Sarven 1691]

"A noble and chivalric man, I am sure he fought bravely to his last." Yvian would speak frankly, frowning as he heard the news, signing the lorraine over his cuirass.

[Eddywilson2 2116]

The Knighthood of Petra was highly regarded amongst the realms of Man, and in their annals of history, Sir Brandt Berhal will be known. An honorable advisor and confidant of Constanz, the men had been close since the day they met in Petra. The war had taken a toll on Constanz, but the news of the death of his friend stung the man to his core, filling him with rage. Looking towards the flaming vessel carrying his comrade's body along the River Petra, Constanz made a vow to his friend. He would see his home returned.

[hemomancy 2835]

That child, the Montalt, she listened on to the words her father spoke, although the young thing could not quite comprehend them fully. Her legs bounced back and forth against the stone tower she sat atop of; thinking not of what she'd seen yet, but what she's yet to see.

[LazyBacon220 295]

Casimir Marius Vilac read over the missive again and again, pausing whenever he reached the mention of the Vilac brothers "I don't remember dying." he shook his head in disbelief "I was in Balian with my brother. I swear it" He unsheathed his longsword, running his hand along the dragon engraved into the blade. "This knight will be avenged and all those who have brought pain onto Petra will have their heads removed and placed on spikes" 

[tilly 3647]

“A shame to see one fall so far.” Renilde sighed, putting away the memoir she didn't care to read of another Pretender-Petran. 

[MikhaiI 231]

Spoiler

 

 

Sir 'Wings' von Draco finds himself standing alone beside the River Petra, his fists clenched in anger after hearing the news of Sir Brandt Berhal's untimely departure. The Ashford sun sets behind him, casting a warm orange glow over the flowing water. He throws his sword to the ground, its blade embedding into the soft earth. He rips off his gauntlets, throwing them into the river. He pounds his chest akin to an ape, as if trying to rid himself of the pain that's consuming him. The River Petra flows on, calm and unruffled by Wings' outburst. But the warrior's heart is a tempest, a storm of grief, anger and frustration. He sinks to his knees, tears streaming down his face as he sobs uncontrollably. "Blood for Brandt.. Blood for Arthur.." he uttered. 'Wings' then slowly regains his composure at the mention of his fallen brothers, wiping the tears from his face as he stands up. He takes a deep breath and looks out over the river, his eyes hardening instantaneously. He picks up his sword and replaces it in its sheath, the metallic sound ringing out in the silence. He takes another deep breath, and with a new resolve, he starts to make his way back to Vafleur. He knows that there is a greater purpose that needs to be served, and the Ferrymen are knocking at their gates..

Edited January 28, 2023 by MikhaiI

[grnappa 1230]

31 minutes ago, tilly said:

“A shame to see one fall so far.” Renilde sighed, putting away the memoir of another Pretender-Petran. 

Spoiler

Sir Brandt Berhal watched from the seven skies as he sighed, shaking his head. "I pray that Godan will forgive her transgressions. He looks after his own no matter the scope of sin. I just hope she might confess before that final day comes... Though I am happy she finally got around to reading my memoir!"

[rukio 8909]

Nehtamo recalls the conflicts in Acre as he reads the memoir. The name was familiar- though he couldn't quite place it. Eventually, towards the end, he recalled. This was the knight, Ser Brandt...Ser Berhal, who had helped save Odille after the demon's attempted massacre. Memories of her burned, malflame cursed skull, came creeping back into the corners of his mind. "Godan be good to him in the Seven Skies, aenguls know he deserves such." He'd whisper, setting the missive away with a heavy heart.

[tcs_tonsils_ 2829]

Ser Sebastien of the Order of the Crow watched on. It was over as quickly as it had began. He stood over the water basin, cleaning the dried blood off of his armor. Gwendel, his friend for many years, now sat upon the opposite side. He prayed they should not meet upon the field of battle.

[koanda 620]

"An honorable man dying for an ignoble cause." The words of Sir Paul echoed so loudly in Livia's ear as she watched Brandt meet his end. "But who decided ours was so ignoble?" This attempt made to teach her, had in fact worked but not in the way the elder Knight had wished. She was certain now that she would follow her friend into that end, for we Petrans stand as one.

[AnonymousAlexa 3877]

The news of yet another Petran's falling tugged at the heartstrings of Aviana. While she had not known Ser Brandt well, she anticipated his death would significantly weigh down her husband's spirits. Thus, she ensured his favorite dinner was prepared that night.

 

She was a good and faithful wife, unlike some. 

[Skelepathic 37]

Vey Louk sent the poor soul off on the boat he burned the man on, the boat burning bright as he realized the man wouldn't be a wandering soul no longer, Vey Louk stared with their mask before removing it to reveal their grimace; The upset looking churning and edging across their face like molten metal. The individual stated in such a sad tone; 

Quote

"May their soul and legacy be known across Petra, they fought well as a Noble."

 

[ReveredOwl 5314]

"So the King not only murders diplomats in rage, he pledges our soldiers to the harlot's cause. What good would if be if Renilde won when she will have no citizens left to rule over. I am curious why the King would send our soldiers in to battle for a Prince's mistress, perhaps the brothers share her, who knows." remarked Arold from his apartments.