Carts Before Horses

[TomFunks 756]

 

CARTS BEFORE HORSES

 

 

ISSUED ON

14th OF Peter's Glory, 126 B.A.

 

THE STALLIONS OF OUR ILK INVARIABLY pursue that which is righteous, and to the equivalent end, that which is true. For all of the faults that I have made and those that I carry at the head of this family, I have always endeavored to remain aware of myself and that which surrounds me. When the reputation of our burgeoning tribe found itself shattered due to the traitorous Stein von Vourkehardt, we understood that there was little that we could do within the Principality of Reinmar, despite the love we held to what became our home. Thus, with permission from the venerable leaders of the Western Waldenians, we trot off and found ourselves as far East as Canondom would allow.

 

Within Balian, we pursued politics, military, and merchantry but more importantly, it was within the walls of Portoregne that the Vourkehardts became a family. The love between our household was emboldened and our children were met with upbringings of nobility that none of our kin had ever had the opportunity to experience.

 

Under Alexander II, we were finally recognized as true peers of the Crown. Yet still, we found ourselves shaken by the conspiracy that would unravel. For the first time whilst leading the family, I felt a darkness cloud my vision. My faith, which had been instilled unto me by the late Robert Stroheim, was threatened by my own monarch. Even as he was tried, I became witness to the words of his heir, John Casimir, who spoke that the Church could not take his inheritance, that he did not need their permission for coronation.

 

Trouble seemed to brew in Balian, uncertainty plagued my house of simple horse merchants. Our new Amiratus, August Benedict Temesch and the good Archbishop Ivan var Ruthern chanted for him at a garden party before his very own trial. I heard rumors of him venturing off to speak to foreign leaders rather than solidify the weary state of the nation he assumed he would inherit. This much was proven later during his trial when the esteemed Queen Adalia I came forth.

 

In this unknown I had become unaware. The path that my stallions traveled had disappeared beneath us. We were lost and could be forgiven for our inaction. But in this fog came guidance with the gentle direction of the Princess Royal Ariadne Casimira Novellen-Tuvia. She had labored in the service of tempering our former King’s outbursts in the past, but had always given him more courtesy than he deserved due to the love she holds for her brother. Yet now she could not idle, she urged four of the largest families within Balian to maintain the prosperity that could be salvaged whilst the conspirator Casimir paraded himself about. She would not wish to have her home fall to ruin.

 

When the trial for John Casimir had ended, he had been given the opportunity of penance. The wisdom and mercy of the Mother Church had granted him the opportunity to better himself for the malice he held. I hope that he might find the absolution he seeks, yet the experience I have felt with traitors has left me at times doubtful. The aforementioned Stein, who had betrayed my tribe, was given the opportunity of penance himself under the good Bishop Matthia in Reinmar. Yet this did not stop him from becoming dark and malicious, a betrayer. I would hope and pray that John Casimir could resolve himself, but in the case that he could not I ventured to ask our leaders to consider other candidates, as the Mother Church had granted permission for the Archbishop of Lotharia to do.

 

I spoke of the Princess Royal and the strength and initiative she exhibited for the good of Balian, a leader who did not demand the Crown for herself. Her actions seemed similar to that of the good Prince Nathannenel Constantine Novellen, hailed as ‘Hadrian the Hero’ amidst John Casimir’s own trial. In fact, he had come to support his aunt as well, assuring that she would rule as well as he could for he did not wish for the Crown himself. I spoke only to the effect that we might consider there were others besides the first-born threatened with excommunication and that we might plan ahead rather than exist in limbo.

For this, I was told that now was no time to think of who else might lead. To have faith that John Casimir’s course could be righted in the end. I am a man capable of forgiveness but for all the plots, deceptions, and evasions that the conspirator Prince had pursued, I was shocked to find that his candidacy could still be so vigorously supported. The unshakeable loyalty to a Prince who had besmirched our reputation led to a festering fear within my heart at what was to come. Though the love that I hold for this southern Kingdom is an honest one, it is a love extinguished if he who will rule is not honest himself. No final decisions have been made, but the response I had received brought me a doubt that one who could prove true would be chosen over the one whom they seem to have plotted for prior. I will hope for the best for my home, but throughout the entirety of this unraveling plot I have found the voice and efforts of my house unneeded, unwanted. Decisions have seemingly been made and to alter their course is to draw scorn.

I have always been a man needled for exhausting the extent of his voice and, evidently, the length of parchment. I would hope that I am forgiven in this instance, as this decision greatly affects the future of this proud family that I lead: We, the Baronial House of Vourkehardt, will thus fulfill all lasting obligations to this Kingdom and soon depart, surrendering the titles granted to us by this Crown. We will make for lands more favorable to our hearts, those that we shall never doubt. We endeavor to do so whilst maintaining compassion for the people of Balian and wishing good fortune to those that will lead hereon.

 

Ave Balian. Wes Thu Hal.

 

S I G N E D ,

 

The Honorable, Baldric Vourkehardt
Baron of Cadiz, Patriarch of Vourkehardt, Captain of the Regiment of Saint Lothar, Captain of the Sybilline Company, Diplomat of the Office of the Legate

 

His Excellency, Wernher Vourkehardt
Domus Ministri, Lieutenant of the Regiment of Saint Lothar 

 

The Honorable, Valeska Vourkehardt
Baroness-Consort of Cadiz

 

Lady Vanya Isabeth Vourkehardt

Heir of Vourkehardt

 

Lady Auris Vourkehardt

Quaestor to the Office of the Magisterium, Banneret of the Regiment of Saint Lothar

 

Lady Anneliese Vourkehardt

 

Ser Marius “Rethron” Vourkehardt

Knight-Templar of the Order of the Pyre

 

Lady Ceru’wyn Vourkehardt

 

Spoiler

 

[LazyBacon220 600]

Nathannenel Eruedraith, once hailed as Hadrian the Hero, smiled to himself while the world sleeps. He snacked on his mixed nuts that were in his packed lunch for the day, tossing them into his mouth and seeing if he could catch them in his mouth. "My favorite noble house! I know you just arrived down south, but I am glad you are carving your own path." Nathan penned a letter to Baldric then, careful not to stain the paper with grapes and pomegranate bits. "John's path does not lead to the Crown and neither should you serve an unfaithful man. Forgive and rebuild." 

[MercyAzalea 405]

Ivona Stroheim cast her gaze over the missive with furrowed brows. It was the right decision that they had made, of course, but it did not make it any less frustrating that the family found themselves intent on relocating once more.

"Good on you, Vourkehardts... A shit city anyways. They sell no cigarettes."

[Wavey 2568]

"Ah, I thought I made it clear that no one from the line of John I of Novellen deserves the throne at this time until they have proven themselves true to the LIGHT due to this family's recent shenanigans." The Cardinal-Regent murmured in thought, "Perhaps I should release a missive, proclaiming such, along with the minutes of the Peer meeting taken by Don Achillius." 

He then raised a brow at the middle paragraph. "Hmm...August did indeed say such, for John wished to hunt down those spawns of Iblees who had harmed the virtuous Reverend Stefaniya, although I do not recall chanting this young man's name. But I do remember telling him scoldingly to admit to his fallibility in San Adriano. Odd hearsay, I can only pray to GOD that humanity seeks truth not hearsay. Nevertheless, if they wish to leave then so be it. No harm shall befall them, I wish them the best of luck, a good family they are albeit I dislike any politicking and chicanery from either side of this situation." 

 

[__Stal27 2126]

"I suppose it is wrong to chant for a man who wishes to battle against the darkspawn.. we should recall the context for such chanting but alas." Thought the Amiratus as he nodded along. "Or perhaps we should release his dealings."

[Cheese 8891]

Esfir nervously looked to her husband. ". . . The meeting did niet go well, Ea presume?"

[TomFunks 756]

Baldric Vourkehardt hoisted up a crate, setting it firmly into the cart. He let out a sigh of relief, a job well done and now finally concluded. He looked back towards Portoregne, reminiscing on the memories, yet all that he could bring himself to do was shrug.

His stallions had been safely transferred to a separate ranch for holding, but he had found a helpful rancher who let him borrow a Balianite Mustang instead. It had an odd affinity to trotting behind his cart, however.

“Oh well,” the former Baron thought. “A strange preference, but how will the cart move forward?” He joked to the horse, managing a chuckle despite his exhaustion. Then, he realized he was talking to a horse and sighed.

Wrangling the horse into its reins, he set off at a slow trot, thinking back to his last few saintsdays. The way that they had treated one who had stood against their faith was concerning. He hoped communication would rend such an exodus unneeded, yet any time he attempted to speak to his fellow Balianites, he had found that their opinions only formed or changed after a night’s rest, when they fell asleep. That morning, he seemed to have a gut feeling that the Conspirator would have his inheritance restored. Only as he was leaving did this Balianite custom find him.

 

[MapleSunflower 1889]

The sun beat down upon the wheat fields of Balian, Kathryn Virosi harvested the wheat and replanted its seed methodically, travelling row by row and section by section. The path was not made for her; She had to forge it herself. Her dress was muddied by the earth and the creases in her hands were filled with dirt. 

 

The time passed; her task monotonous. She had lost track of time as with each bushel harvested she would pray. It wasn't until an acolyte had run out to her with a missive in hand. Pink, orange, and yellow danced in the sky above. Kathryn brushed her hands off before accepting the note, her cornflower blue eyes scanning the paper. 

 

"What is this? Did the Cardinal not order for these politics to stop? Are they  attempting to justify breaking the word of the Cardinal and his regency? Instead, they seek to continue their impatience and prejudice against a man who is trying to work back to the light." The Virosi sighed, pinching her nose until she lifted her visage to the sunset that shone over the horizon. "I pray for those who call themselves canonists and yet cannot follow the Scroll of Virtue. Patience is a virtue, and it has been broken time and time again. Where is Humility? God, what trials do you place before us that we must fight against this scourge? Why has your name been something people take so lightly and use as a shield for wrong? Has forgiveness been erased from your Word?" 

 

The scythe was set aside, leaning against the stone wall of the fields as Kathryn lowered herself to kneel amongst the golden wheat. "Guide me so that I may have patience when met with your trials. Guide my hand, my Lord, to be patient and kind even in the face of anger." Her head crowned by a circlet of braided hair bowed low as she continued to pray for a few moments longer. Rising to her feet, she wobbled from the soreness that pulsated through her legs, but she picked up her tools and continued to pray and harvest until the last drop of sunlight would seep over the ocean's vast layout.

[UndetectedOfficial 73]

Artyom Kasimir Sarkozic, the current patriarch of House Sarkozic var Helenz, sat at his desk within his office alongside his eldest son, Edmund Joseph Sarkozic. A faint sigh slipped from his lips as he read along the massive. As he continued to read, he'd take faint sips of a glass of fine wine. "Y find it rather unsettling that vy speak of a mure child as a traitor, or someone whom vy view as a harmful man. It's sad that someone who seeked the best for vy're family, vy now slander. " The male slid his chair back, before pulling out a dagger from the table cabinet. After doing that, the male brought the dagger up, before stabbing it into the paper that layed on hsi desk.  "It's disgusting that the same nation, the same blood whom granted vy a home within their walls vy now slander. Y would say good Ridens with vy all and take vy're mixed bloods to a nation that vy allow such actions, from men who claim to be canonist." Upon concluding his statement, he took one last final sip of his glass, before taking his leave from the office alongside his soon.

[melonth 19]

Valeska Vourkehardt yawned, smacking her lips. 
 

"No hate, but I hear 'eugh, Balian' more than 'Ave Balian'."
 

Spoiler

 

 

Edited September 8, 2024 by melonth

[ickyNuN 53]

Sweat perspired on the bridge of the Vourkehardt's nose as the blazing sun beat down on him in the humid jungle climate. The rhythmic ticking from Wernher's right arm setting the pace for his work as he wordlessly toiled. The crates stacked on the cart, one after the other, placed neatly and packed tightly together. He stepped back to admire his handiwork, flicking a piece of dirt off of his gauntlet into the waters outside of Portoregne. Many thoughts ran through The Alchemist's mind during this tumultuous time, but one lingered longer than the others... "I should probably add more cushioning for my potions"

[Cryptic 551]

Ser Alteon Gwynadar saw the missive and began to prepare the fiefdom, cleaning it and making it more presentable.

[SmartScout 392]

Marcel Vuiller would read the missive with a frown, before putting it aside on the table, muttering "You speak of carts before horses, when you seek to break and throw aside your oaths as Peers, Duana, Officers, and Kingsguard because you are to impatient to let the son of the man who gave you your titles, both of whom you swore to guard and serve, seek penance. We swore to uphold the Line of Balian, and John is heir, unless the Regency definitively disqualifies him. Skipping in the line until then is the treason and politicking of vultures, which the Cardinal banned." he'd then toss the missive in the fire, and move towards the shrine of St. Harald to pray guidance and protection from his ancestor in these difficult times.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The elder Ser Robyn de Lyons would read the missive, letting out a dry, humorless chuckle "Seems they have not read the history of the nation to which they moved. I say of them what I say of the fools in the Sarkozics and Kervallens who deigned to break their oaths for political convenience - a man who forsakes his honour and vows for his own ambition is little better than a beast. Seems many have failed to learn that lesson. Even some closer to home..." The old lawman would frown at that, gazing out over the walls of Enderoca towards the sea, bracing his weakening frame on the crenelations of his keep as he'd think of days and oaths past, and of newer matters that have troubled his mind, even close to home.

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

The young Balianese Prince would read the missive before folding it up and tossing it off so the wind would carry it into the sea outside his window as he'd pout slightly, mumbling "I suppose those sparring lessons won't be coming from them at least..." He'd let out a small sigh, before going back to one of his books.

Edited September 8, 2024 by SmartScout

[Gutz 450]

Paloma Galbraith sat at the edge of Cascanova's new property, surrounded by a sea of blueprints. Yet, her attention was not on the carefully drawn plans before her, but rather on the well-worn pages of The Canonist Scrolls in her hands. Her brow furrowed in contemplation, and a trace of indecision clouded her features as she voiced her inner turmoil aloud.
"I must confess a sense of empathy for my former peers—the Vourkehardt's. To witness the throne fall to the will of the Canonist Church - even in this momentary period - diminishes the sovereignty of this very kingdom. Singlehandedly does it uplift the voices of those whose air ought to be spent interpreting the will of GOD, placing themselves in stations once secular."

She paused, her words hanging in the air, before continuing with a thoughtful resolve: "HOWEVER, I should wish for my Kingdom- and particularly those who lead it- to harbor virtue and abide by the word of GOD; whether that be of their own interpretation or those seemingly surfeited by GOD's loudest zealots. Indeed, I do find the methods of GOD to be derived from a relationship between MAN and his or her creator; not one of any state or church. Nevertheless, my time and efforts will remain my own, guided by careful thought and reflection. My adherance and loyalty to my Kingdom and her Governing body - aswell as to my Creator and his word - stays forever my own."

She then recited softly, as if seeking solace in the scripture:
"Shall I worship the strong man? Shall you worship the tallest among you? No, for the glory of GOD is not in mere magnitude, but in His fullness and His perfection."

Her gaze drifted upward to the sky, a brief wince betraying the headache brought on by thoughts of the current political turmoil in Balian.
"Verily, brother, the Lord GOD is the whole and only god..."

[ReddeadM 16]

Marius sighed heavily and wiped his brow of sweat as he placed a heavy trunk upon the horse drawn cart, the hot balian sun beating down in an almost oppressive fashion whilst his son read the missive aloud to him whilst he worked. "You know....I only hope those that stay here can figure things out without us and anyone else who jumps ship. Though, then again....maybe its for the best as my commute just got a hell of a lot shorter!"