A RIPE HARVEST [PK]

[RedeemedAidan 1125]

Spoiler

 

A RIPE HARVEST

 

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  Baldwin within Valdev’s Gallows c. 1955

 

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Baldwin awoke within the bushes just down the road of Valdev, a pen of animals not awfully far from him, before then immediately recalling the urge to slumber like no other that had overcome himself hours before. The Stassionite immediately began to free himself from the bush, his eyes rapidly blinking as he tried to force himself from his half-awaken daze, stumbling out of the bush before then rounding the corner of the animal pen, oblivious of those who awaited him..

“Halt in the name of King Aleksander!” - “Halt!” -“Hold it right there!”

Men mounted upon steeds shouted, their Golden Hussar and Brotherhood of Saint Karl armor shimmering with the light that poured in between the leaves from the trees above. The men quickly charged their horses forth, gathering around him with blades drawn and shields raised, only providence could save the man now. The Knight’s hands quickly rose over his head, all possible ways of escape having been cut off, an “Oh my-” escaping his lips as his pallid blue hues eyed the blades at his waist, but it was a vein cause. “Good day!” The Knight said as his countenance raised toward a Ruthern man who had called out to him, “Prevja again,” to which Baldwin quickly remarked without a thump of his heart, “Greetings again good man,” Though it was clear the Ruthern’s comrades were not as keen to chit-chat, as they barked at him to drop his weapons, to which he obliged. Within mere moments of being stopped, Sir Baldwin found himself bound and hauled away to the gallows of Valdev. 

 

Baldwin sat there beside the blood stained gallows, his lips harshly pressed together and his gaze rose to the descending flakes of snow. Before the man could even take a moment to ponder, then came a voice from one of the Golden Hussars, Otto Ludovar, “As the Lord Speaker and Jovenaar of the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska, I sentence you to death by firing squad…” Baldwin then froze, his breathing coming to a halt and his mind beginning to race as his cruel and brutal fate was then revealed to him.“..You will be offered last rights-” Baldwin remained silent, yet a faint smile remained as he gave a solemn nod, his lips then cracking open to make a final request, “Might I make a final request?” - “What is it?”- “Allow me to write a final letter, might you? I may carry my blade in opposition, though might my final thoughts and thanksgivings be sent to those who are due them?” The bitter cold air then grew even more frigid as the Ludovar went to answer, “A soldier knows their fate when they step onto the battlefield.. Father, if you would.” Father Beaumont then stepped near to Baldwin as a voice cried, “BROTHERS! LINE UP!” followed by an, "AI!” A singular tear then formed in Baldwin’s eye as his countenance rose upward to the skies above, he then began to murmur, none hearing his words other than himself and the Father at his side. “This day, my blood shall join my brethren who went on before me.. May my life not be spent in vain, and let there be a ripe harvest..” The Priest then retrieved a vial of holy water, tracing the lorraine upon his chest. A Ruthern man's voice then carried upon the wind, “A bandit, rather.” This was then followed by further accusations, “He is a bandit!” Baldwin endured the slander, his eyes coming to a close, up until one uttered, “He came here to kill our women and children..” Baldwin’s features then distorted into disgust, as the Father began to grant him his rites, “Through this Holy anointing may the Creator in His love and mercy help you. May GOD who frees you from sin save you and raise you up in the Seven Skies.  He patted the shoulder of the man, before speaking once again.  “Do you have anything to confess?” Baldwin then softly muttered with what could only be described as grief, for these men knew him not for the man he was, though viewed him as but a bandit to be discarded, “I would never raise a blade against a woman nor a child... Father, this alone do I confess..” Baldwin then leaned forward to the Father, whispering something quietly to him, to which he responded, “Very well. Then may GOD bless you and may He make His face shine unto you, and be gracious to you. May He lift up His face unto you, and give to you peace.” The Father then quickly rushed away as the men retrieved their arrows, beginning to ready their bows.. Baldwin’s gaze once again rose to the skies above as he donned a smile upon his lips, six soft words escaping him as arrows began to soar through the frigid air,

 

“Let there be… a ripe harvest.”

Spoiler

Wow, what a ride it's been my friends! I've had such a fun and awesome experience playing Baldwin over the last few months, and I'm so glad to have gotten the opportunity! Big thanks to the Haenser's and crew for the good faith RP and for being chill during the conflict! Much love to all the people in Stassion and Veletz for making this such a wonderful persona and for all the fun times :)

o7

 

[TheOnlyTub 563]

"I-it's not our fault, is it?" Kendall Cooper said, face pale, turning to Sir Adrien "We only left 'im there a moment, while we rode off to get more supplies."

[alienescence 1415]

Holly frowned upon the news of Baldwin's death.

Her mind trailed back to when the man watched Stassion hands cut her fingers off, and her talk with him in the Veletz tavern.

"I wish I ended our conversation at the tavern way better, Sir Baldwin."

[tadabug2000 4924]

The Lady Brasca thought of a conversation she had with Sir Baldwin not too long ago. It consisted of fields and crops, plans for the future and how the blood and matter of those lost will allow it to grow better then ever.

Cold fingers clasped over a gift he'd given her after the last field battle, a bloodied spyglass.

"Blood will litter w fields, Comrade."

[Optimus420 1926]

The Protector of the Marchlands upon receiving the missive dropped to his knees within his own study where no one could see, his oldest friend and ally now dead. He prayed to the exalted that night for strength and vengeance before saying to himself, "My friend, my brother, will not be so easily forgotten and his death will be repaid tenfold."

[L1veLaughLich 425]

Sir Adrien clutched the missive, frowning deeply. "Kendal, saddle your horse. We will drown the Haensers in blood"

[Marshi 1184]

Ottavia sat within the palace, drawing another card from her deck before turning to her mourning husband "Blood will have blood, and my" she smiled, walking over to Richard "What a river of blood will be spilled"

[LordofCabbage 559]

A knight who had known Baldwin was filled with intense melancholy upon receiving the news.

Spoiler

https://youtu.be/DijUvDi87Fc

 

[sydni_spelled_strange 16]

Robyn heard the news in passing; she had passed the previous night in lands close to Haense. She had not known Sir Baldwin well, but she knew in her heart that his death would prolong the war. Still, she made time to say a little prayer for him.

[marikandaperc 1818]

Spoiler

 

 

Silence... it filled the empty field the Holy Dame Helena had been wandering thorugh. She could not hum a tune, nor speak a word, only silence. It had all started the moment the news reached her ear. 

 

"Your Serene Highness.." a courier spake unto the Princess. "Sir Baldwin is dead." the man went to announce after stepping into the room. Anger was quick to fill & overwhelm both mind and sight of the Princess, whose book was sent flying towards the innocent courier. At that, he left at once, and no other person had been allowed inside. There were many a tear shed, yet not enough. With her night robe and a heavy weight on her shoulders, Helena decided to stand up from the messy bed and head for the countryside. Minitz was always more beautiful seen from the outside, yet not even the shiny walls could fill that void that had formed in her stomach.

 

 "I need to get ahold of him, speak of what happened in our youth. Of that gap... What happened?" that series of thought had always stumbled upo her mind, yet not once had she acted on it. War was on the rampage through the midlands, and there was very short time she could find with the man, unless the whole company was present, too.

The thought of the few last moments spent with the entire companionship formed by Sir Jurkha had somewhat eased her mind. They had chatted, even if briefly, while on horseback. She knew more, now, but many questions lingered up in the air. 

 

"Perhaps, had I acted earlier without fearing for the loss of my life, my honor, and my image... It wouldn't have happened. I am sorry, Baldwin. Rest easy friend.."