"HERZOG, WHERE ARE YOU?" [PK]

[GoodGuyMatt 7060]

Artist’s depiction of Sir Leon before facing Vazov Gleb’s brigands

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Spoiler

Previous Posts:

 

Part 1:

Part 2:

 

Part 3:

Part 4:

Part 5:

 

Part 6:

Part 7:

 

The echoes of pouring rain filled the high peaks of the Arentanian mountains, the dirt path drenched and muddy. The sky was gray and the sun was hiding its face amongst the clouds. It was as sad and depressing as it got. The oldened knight adorned his armor, covered in steel plate, heavy as it was protective. He kept his visor open, it was hard enough to see with such weather. Atop his stallion he stood, the fourth stallion he ever called his. It was white as snow, noble as royalty, strong as a battle-hardened warrior.

 

Alongside Leon rode the young Henry of Alstion, whom Leon accompanied during his so-called ‘expedition’. The duo had just departed from the safe walls of Corwinsburg, having spent the previous night in the host of Prince Ottomar of Alstreim. Now Henry and his bodyguard departed for hunting, an idea the former Duke proposed. The weather, bad as it was, made for a good cover to one’s tracks. “Would be good for the lad to get experience traveling in bad weather.” thought Leon, and thus they departed.

 

The hunting grounds were within sight, just a few minute’s of slow riding away. Amongst the sound of the pouring rain, the duo made small talk exchanging questions and answers before them. The grayed Leon laughed every now and then, his deep voice echoing around the tall cliffs of Arentania. It was then that he realized they weren’t alone. Just as he planned before, the heavy rain covered the hunter’s tracks for the prey not to notice. He realized then, they themselves were the prey. Before the Knight could do anything, a large group of men stood before them, dressed in clothes as black as the night’s sky. They were like the daemons mentioned in children’s stories to scare them. They held weapons in hand, two handed axes and sharpened swords. Their faces donned ugly, wretched smiles, akin to the hyena which has found the weak prey.

 

One man stood out amongst them, tall and wide, Leon recognized him immediately. Before him stood the notorious Vazov Gleb and a regiment of his brigands. “What do you seek, Vazov?” asked the Barclay, getting straight to business. 

 

“Revenge, and a hostage!” replied the wretched, almost demonic voice of the ambusher. Leon huffed, and turned to Henry. 

 

“Prepare to gallop back, your Highness.” he instructed quietly. The young Henry attempted to protest, but to no avail. “GOTT knows what they’ll do to you if they take you. I can’t have it.” continued Barclay, his own words falling on deaf ears, as the young prince wished to fight alongside his Knight.

 

Thusly, left with no choice, Leon retrieved the medium-lengthed lance from his horse’s side, and with its bottom, hit Henry’s stallion, making it neigh and gallop back. The brigands were still some way off, and Leon looked at them with a slight smile, almost a relieved one “You will fight for your revenge today, Gleb” he shouted towards the lot, who remained quiet, seeing as they were unable to retrieve the prince now.

 

For a moment, the falling rain was the only sound which surrounded them. It was rather calming to Leon, almost like silence. Looking in front of him, he counted at least thirty or so heads, perhaps more. Giving it no further matter, the former Herzog whispered some final prayers, and lowered his visor.

 

It was then that the shouting broke out, from both sides. So loudly they shouted that the rain’s pouring was masked, almost unhearable now. The knight was better equipped than any of them, his full plate covering most of his body, and before him he had only counted three or four cavalrymen. He galloped as he had during his jousting practices, and the tournaments. These lot were easier targets, even, novice equestrians at best, the Barclay’s charges disposed of easily by the cavalrymen, most of whom met the lance’s pike with their chests or heads.

 

He was now closer to the main infantry rally, who stood in front of him, with Vazov Gleb in front of them all. He looked at their leader for a moment, and then charged once again towards the cavalry. The ground was relatively open, but if his charge were to pass the infantry, he’d find himself on the narrow mountainous road. This was his only option, unfortunately, and with his lance forward, the Herzog fell another few of the men. Vazov stood his ground, the only left cavalryman of his brigands, even his equipment did not come close to the Herzog’s. Leon went back and forth, taking a few men with each charge, tiring his stallion, which took a few light cuts after every run forward. It was the third or fourth charge now, and Leon realized Henry had probably found safety. He found comfort in this, and took a deep breath. This charge was his last, and he found himself felled on the ground by one of Vazov’s pikemen, unhorsed and covered in mud.

 

Another pike pierced the galloping stallion, which was now covered by blood. Without its warrior, the white stallion made to leave the battlefield and rushed back home. Leon could hear only a long, high-pitched ringing on his ears. The fall was hard, his heavy armor now working against him as he blacked out for a moment. However, the man got himself on his feet, and got up, now only ten or twelve feet away from the Glebites. He grunted, and dropped his lance, instead equipping his trusty sword and his heraldric shield, bearing the green and blue colors and arms of House Barclay.

 

With utmost persistence, the Herzog charged at the infantry again, shielding up, bashing into them first, and then slashing left and right. Despite being outnumbered, he fought long and hard. The first pierce came to his left leg, an arrow. The next came to the right leg also an arrow from the men on the back. As he was pierced slowly, he took three to four men down each time, his shield fending most blows. 

 

Soon, the number of his enemies had dropped significantly, but more reinforcements were to follow, as one of them had shouted. He was covered with many wounds, perhaps five or six, he didn’t hold count. Still standing, he looked to Vazov, and pointed his sword at him “COME AND GET YOUR REVENGE, COWARD!” shouted the Herzog amids heavy breaths. He raised his visor then, and grunted, removing his helmet “We are on equal grounds now.” he added, referring to his wounded state.

 

Vazov took up the challenge with pride, and told his men to stand back. The rest of the criminals surrounded the two, who now slowly moved in a circle, facing one another “Your men need more training” commented the former Herzog as they went around in circles, his shield held to his side “Although they won’t need it after I’m done with you” he concluded before rushing towards the tall rogue. They exchanged blows, each equipped with a shield and sword. Leon was tired and wounded, yet fought with valor and persistence, dealing a few cuts and blows to his ambusher. As they exchanged swings and parried one another’s blows back and forth, Leon finally saw an opening, and thrust his sword at the brigand’s neck, sure of victory and with a smile on his face.

 

Just like before, it was Barclay that was caught in the trap like prey to the predator. The opening he saw was a deception, calculated by the swordsman before him. Vazov had taken advantage of Leon’s opening, and made to thrust his own sword right to the knight’s chests, piercing through the battered plate. So deep had the sword reached, that Vazov could not draw it back. Leon’s own thrust was interrupted, and blood spilled from his mouth. He huffed and grunted, and took three steps back, the sword still stuck into his chest. He stood up for a moment, and looked at Vazov.

 

He coughed blood once more, and dipped his head somewhat “You fought well, brigand.” he said towards his bloodied enemy then. The Duke then looked around, men surrounding him as they all stood on the narrow path. He turned around, and started walking slowly and with great difficulty, trying to get out of the Glebite encircling him. It was then that he saw it, a ray of sunlight, coming east, where Minitz was. He saw the sun first, then caught a glimpse of the Minitzian fields, which stretched not far from where he was. 

 

The Glebites had allowed him a last view of his Fatherland, and, with a final smile on his face, he dropped to his knees, blood pouring from the pierced chest. Barclay could feel the light leave his eyes, keeping them fixated on the slight view he could get of Minitz. 

 

“Ich kehre zu meinen Wurzeln zurück” were his last words… ‘I return to my roots’, referring to the words of House Barclay von Minitz. He then finally dropped, laying on the muddy, cold ground, surrounded by many of the brigands he had felled. He took one last look towards the seven skies, and accepted his fate. He had lived a long, happy life. Now was the time for him to meet his ancestors.

 

 

THUS FELL DUKE LEON BRANDT BARCLAY VON MINITZ,

ASSASSINATED BY VAZOV GLEB ON THE YEAR OF OUR LORD 1914

Duke of Minitz

Warchief of Theoderic’s Warband

Grossmeister of the Order of Saint Tylos the Stallion of Reinmar

Knight of the Order of the Red Eagle

Knight-Immortal of the Immortal Order of Emperor Henry the Lion

Harvest Lord

Wappenmeister

Warrior

Son of Minitz

Father

Husband

Spoiler

Thank you all for RPing with Leon if you have. It's been a really enjoyable ride and I'm happy it finally came to an end. For the rest of the posts on Leon's story check the spoiler above this one, and ripbozo.

POV: Leon Barclay

 

[Optimus420 1732]

A young Raevir lord looked to the setting sun upon hearing the news "Era has ended, da. Leon was only Waldenian who truly earned my respect, rare amongst our folk. May he find peace with GODAN."  @GoodGuyMatt

[Sarven 1691]

Yvian's hammer rang silent and as did his duties for the day, on pause. He was in deep contemplation, of sorrow and of mourning. It was under Leon's reign that he was welcomed in Minitz, armed and armoured and sworn to protect. His death, sudden and unpredicted a dastardly and wicked plot.

 

The Minitzer stood on his knees before the alter, hands clasped together, he prayed for the safe passage of the Duke to the skies above, signing the lorraine he stands.

"As is our motto. Wer Rastet, Der Rostet."

"May GOTT watch over you,  Leon..."

[Lmcfc 427]

“Its been a while cousin.. how was vyr life aye? Dobre ea hope…” Johanna Josefina Ludovar said to her cousin in the seven skys with a smile welcoming her cousin. “Ea remember when vy couldnt speak common at all” she chuckled

Edited March 7, 2023 by Lmcfc

[LithiumSedai 4835]

Prince James personally lit the eternal candle afforded to the Duke-Emeritus by his rank as a Knight-Immortal, mourning the passing of a man who had been one of the few living to deserve such a title, and one who was now worthy of enlisting in the company of its fallen holders in perpetuity.

 

"God rest you, Sir Leon - and thank you for everything you've done for us."

 

 

[argonian 12836]

On 3/14/2022 at 12:58 AM, GoodGuyMatt said:

Leon Barclay would be playing with his knight toys inside his room as he heard of the Prince Johann's return. He smiled somewhat as he kept enjoying his entertainment, picking up the figurine of the Marshal as he enjoyed his playtime "Uncle Johann is coming back!" he celebrated in Waldenian "I hope he has good stories to tell me!"

 

[Shadow2k 500]

If Leon Barclay has a million fans I am one of them. If Leon Barclay has ten fans I am one of them. If Leon Barclay has no fans, that means I am no more on the earth.

 

If the World is against Leon Barclay, I am against the World. I love Leon Barclay till my last breath.

[Olox_ 3333]

Jan Jazloviecki sighed, remembering how he found Leon's dead body on the road. He recalled all deeds of Leon - the good and the bad "You fought against my father in the Harvest Revolution, but later you have been one of the few to welcome me and my kinsmen back to the Heartlands with open arms. I will probably never understand where did that sudden change of attitude come from but it does not matter on this day. You were a hero. A hero who saved Prince Henry's life. I will personally make sure Aaun will never forget that. Wherever you are right now Herzog Leon, I hope you have found peace." He said to himself before walking to the Merryweather chapel in order to pray

[Frymark 2791]

He fell

 

The boy woke up. He breathed heavily, covered in sweat and tears. Or were they tears? No, they couldn't be. He shouldn't cry - no, he couldn't cry. He was a Prince - a King, one day. Tears were for the weak and he had been weak, oh so, so weak.

 

He rose, the candlelight casting a mighty shadow on the armor of Prince Leopold, but the boy was not mighty. He had failed, or had he? They had told him he hadn't, that it was not his fault, but the boy knew they were lying. Someone - no not just someone, his friend had died for him, and he didin't do anything. Not when they had first attacked, not when he could've turned back, not when the Warsovian party went to avenge Leon. The boy had frozen, unable to move or think, unable to act. He couldn't do that again, that was weak. And he couldn't allow himself to be weak.

 

Henry Charles, Crown Prince of Aaun stared at the mirror, and saw nothing else but the lifeless, joyless eyes of a failed King staring back.

 

After a hour, or two, or three, he fell back asleep.

 

And began falling again.

Edited March 7, 2023 by Frymark

[Demented_Delila 1118]

Luisa Klaire held an arm out to the Barclay as he joined his kin in the Seven Skies,

"I believe that you have made us very proud, liebchen. . . And now you have time to rest without rust."

[Gandhi 2658]

Sir Ludolf Barclay bowed his head as the news came to him. He’d sign the Lorraine and make sure to tell his descendants the story of Herzog Leon.

[Ryanark 1924]

"Now you lay down to rest, thy struggle has now come to end." A black-clad figure lamented, looming over the memorial after the congregation settled down.
"Harvest Lord exanima." He left, leaving a black tulip in his wake.

[Danjahb29 247]

Anton bowed his head, remembering the man who had welcomed him into the Miniz family when he had none of his own. “Fair well beloved Hertzog. I hope to see you in the Seven Skies.”

[Ramon 3877]

Manfred Barclay prayed for the soul of his fallen kinsman, fondly remembering the few personal encounters he had with the man he considered a true hero.

"Gott hab ihn selig." 

 

[Miniguy15736 398]

Siegfried Barclay was amongst the first who saw Leon's bloodied horse reach Neu Brandthof. Without his brother atop it, he understood the graveness of the situation. He gritted his teeth, and let out a huff, awaiting for the body to be delivered "Say hello to Vater for me."

 

He then left to find a private place with tears falling from his eyes.