THE DEATH OF THE DUKE

[Javert 9615]

 

THE DEATH OF THE DUKE

Issued in the year 2002

To the Ravenmire People,

 

It is with a heavy heart that we of Blackworth do announce the death of the Duke of Blackworth and Prince of Sedan, Henry I Haverlock. In a recent battle against the foes of Ravenmire and of Canondom, His Grace sustained significant wounds which were unable to be treated in the aftermath of the bloodshed. In the aftermath of the releasing of this missive, a mourning period of one Saint’s Week shall be held, to be followed by a funeral to be hosted by His Grace’s next of kin.

 

Per the standard line of succession, of which has not been altered and shall remain unaltered, His Grace shall be succeeded by his firstborn and oldest living child. Constantine Leopold Haverlock, henceforth known as His Grace, Constantine I, Prince of Sedan, shall at once inherit all titles held by the late Henry I. 

 

This letter has been pre-written and is to be released in the event of the untimely death of the sitting Duke of Blackworth and Prince of Sedan. This variation is to be used in the event of a death via battle or battle wounds. Any personal letters or alterations in property inheritance shall be stated in private letters to individual members of the Haverlock family, to be distributed via courier.

 

Signed,

HIS HIGHNESS, Henry Arthur Haverlock, Prince of Sedan, Duke of Blackworth, Hand of the Crown, Count of Illation, Patriarch of the House of Haverlock

 

[Marshi 1184]

Penelope of Haverlock sat by the dimly lit Fireplace, the crackling flames casting long shadows across the stone walls of her Bedroom. The castle was eerily quiet now, save for the soft, rhythmic thrum of her heartbeat in her ears. She heard the news, whispered by trembling servants and carried on the lips of the soldiers returning from the battle. Penelope pressed her hand against her chest, feeling the ache of the news deepen with every passing moment. 

Her mind refused to fully accept it. It could not be true. How could it? How could the man who had raised her, who had been the rock of her world, the one who had taught her how to ride, how to speak with conviction, how to face life with courage how could he be gone? 

The tears came slowly at first, a trickle down her cheek, she had known sorrow in her life, but nothing could have prepared her for the agony of this moment.

 

[Pegleg_Bob 1107]

A newly made Prince looks at his throne and slowly begins to walk towards it, his face is that of a mask showing no emotion. He goes to sit on the throne as he looks around the empty hall "So this is what's it like to be a Prince"

[Tk4522 504]

Upon hearing of the death of her duke and close personal friend, Uku's head hung low. She knew in her heart of hearts that his time was drawing near though in past incidents. Blackworth's mayor would mourn the loss in private. 

 

"I could not save you this time, my duke." 

 

"Go now, reunite with Tiffany... with all those we lost. Tell them we are still hanging on down here." 

 

Uku took her guitar into her hands. As she strummed the instrument, tears marked her face in trail as she lofted her voice skyward. An old cannonist tune her father taught her long ago filled the streets and allies of blackworth. 

 

Spoiler

 

 

[DeadraSlayer 419]

Sir Gaspard leans into his hands, as he ponders of the future and days past.
 

"You will be missed dearly m' Duke."
 

Gaspard looks around his hall, towards his own, with a somber look upon him .

 

". . .Your name shall be remembered as my Father's name was."
 

He'd then raise a glass to himself, filled with Goat Milk.

 

". . .To the Late Duke Havorlock, gatherer of lost souls. . .what a life he lived."
 

he'd slam the glass down with a chuckle, after downing it.

 

 "The people of Ravenmire, the living proof of your own merit and courage among other things."

 

". . . . My Duke, may ye rest well. . .at last. "

Spoiler

 

 

[Bethinwonderland 2213]

Despite only meeting the late Haverlock once and not liking the man much. Lenora felt awful for the family and friends he was leaving behind. If the world was a kinder place and the war needn't needlessly drag on as it had. Maybe.. Just maybe he'd still be alive. If canonists got along with those of different faiths, maybe, just maybe, she could have even healed him of his wounds with a shamanistic blessing.. She took a small solace in knowing that at least he was with loved ones during the time of his passing, or at least that is what she hoped. She would have sent a letter, though she thought it would do more harm than good.
 

---

Meanwhile, in Hyspia, a palace staff member passed Valencia one of the missives announcing the death of the late Duke. Her heart broke for them as the loss of family was never fun. She sent for some stationery and a lap desk from where she was seated in the palace gardens. She wished to check in on those she could.

[comatoseprincess 507]

Emmeline would stare at the words on the missive, reading it again and again, almost like she was trying to change what it said. She couldn't accept this, this couldn't be true, she refused to bury another child, yet, she had no choice. She clung onto the paper, her hands shaking as she went to sit down, her eyes staring blankly up at the ceiling. "My dearest Henry.. Oh, how I will miss you, my son... Rest now.." She muttered out to herself as tears started to stream down her face.

[BlauRps 545]

Dion Thibault, Warrant of the Blackworth Levy, would pick up a copy of the missive and read over it, the Auvy Half-Elf sat down on a nearby bench before looking to the keep of Illation before holding his hands together and bowing his head in prayer "DIEU, please guide Duc Henry to the Seven Skies.. we all know he deserves happiness with what he had to contend with here in the world..." Dion spoke in a quiet prayer as he held his Lorraine cross tightly in his hands, the only thing he could do now for the Late Duke Henry Haverlock.

[Andustar 4143]

While recovering at the Palatio Arancione after the prior month, John Casimir was troubled by more distressing news. "Henry Haverlock has passed..." he muttered before turning to his wife, Kathryn. "Let's ensure our schedules are clear for the funeral."

@MapleSunflower

[Digit___ 1224]

Within his home, a Half-Elf Auvergnian would sit at his desk with his face cupped in his hands with a copy of the missive laid in front of himself. "Mon duc, je suis sorry for ne being there for tu when tu needed me, one of ton guards, the most." - "It should have been moi to take the blow for tu. . . Tu had so much more to do." Aleamme Thibault murmured to himself. "Though tu are ne longer with us, tu are now eternally with Duchesse Tiffany in le Seven Skies. . ." The Thibault would then lean back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling above and signed the Lorraine Cross.

 

"Rest well in  DIEU's White Flame. Je will serve ton son with the same loyalty as je showed to tu, Henry."

[Frisket 4538]

"Segñore... I apologize for failing-eh. Seems we both-ahm... are awarded with peace now sì?"

Nicole welcomed him amongst the pearly gates as they opened for another human.