A Squire's Tour

[KBR 2046]

 

 

‡

By Lothar d’Amaury

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I came to Grense at fourteen years of age, a boy with little beyond the memory of my forebears; my name carried the weight of ancient ties, though my house had long since waned. It was by grace of Sir Carolus van Aert, Chaptermaster of the Black Dragon, that I was received. Though I was unproven, he believed I might yet earn my place amongst those of the Imperial Order of the Red Dragon, and so he set before me a trial of arms, to measure myself in combat against those beyond the realm of Man. 

 

With only my steed and valet at my side, I departed upon the road.

First, I came to the forests of Malin. There stood an elf, his skin marked with blue tattoos, and he met me in single combat. We clashed beneath the trees, and my longsword proved sharper. Yet as he fell, he rose again with treachery in mind, striking once more. In that moment I struck true once more, severing his head. Victory was mine, but bitter; I learned then that deceit can walk even in fair guise, and that a knight must never turn his back until the foe is still beyond all doubt.

Next, my path led me to the deserts of Krug with my companion, Launfal. There I faced an Uruk, terrible in stature, who bore a blade in place of his hand. Despite so cruel an injury, he sought no pity, but demanded an honorable duel, and the Rex himself stood as witness. I met him with a poleaxe, yet his ferocity was such that the weapon was torn from me. With dagger drawn, I pressed the fight stabbing him in the gut before we began to grapple in the sands. After a long struggle I seized his wrist and forced his arm into a double wristlock hold. Against most Uruk, such a feat would have been folly, for their strength far exceeds mine. Yet his blood already ran upon the sands, and with only one hand his power was diminished. Thus, weakened and wracked with pain, he yielded, witnessed by the Rex. From this contest I learned that the strength of the body may fade, but patience, restraint, and the will to endure may yet turn even overwhelming might into surrender.

Lastly, I ventured into the mountains of Urguan. There I encountered the legendary Gror Ireheart, once a marshal of renown. He struck me down in our first bout, and I felt the weight of my own inexperience. Yet I rose again, refusing surrender. Armed now with a mace, I met him once more, and by stubbornness and perseverance I found my victory. Gror clasped my hand in blood-oath, and from foe he became brother. In celebration, we drank deeply with my cupbearer Margause, and though I could not match him, I bore no shame in defeat at the cup, for in arms we were equals.

With my trial complete I rode back for Grense, no longer a greenhorn but a young man tempered by combat.

---

 

 

[MunaZaldrizoti 8037]

Yolande Thérèse had kept herself busy within the household of Crown Princess Elizabeth, content to make study of the imperial histories and linger behind the Duchess at tedious meetings requiring her attention. All the while, especially when they sat down in the evenings for supper, the Princess seemed keen to tell the young Pruvia of this promising young squire - Lothar d'Amaury. Duel after duel he seemed to conquer, only a year or two her elder and already commanding the respect of men far his senior.

 

Her mother had forewarned her, or perhaps encouraged her, to have an awareness of Elizabeth's well-intentioned scheming. Yolande had suspected as much when the Princess had sent her out in search of Ser Carolus and instead she had been met by his squire. But now she could only smile to herself - to hear this scion of Lorraine was no fraud after all. The last of the Pruvia looked forward to their next meeting.

[ibraheemc2000 2965]

Zubayr Bin Shamil heard of the squire's feats and could only nod in recognition of his efforts and courage.  It was not everyday did a squire prove themselves, nor was it commonplace for one to be well written.

[TheIchorDruid 1986]

Andromède Adrasteia had received the notice between various visitations from a gaggle of maestors. The recount of the Lord d'Amaury's ventures eased the ailing girl. A window into the world as such a tale as the young Lord had promised, gave that youth a moment to ponder of the various annals of history this Knight-Aspirant would carve for himself. In knowing that, she was content. 

[Quill_ 20]

Launfal recalled with fondness the onion he had eaten while he observed Lothar's bout with the Uruk; a taste perhaps just as sweet as that of his companion's triumph in the contest of arms.

[_Sug 2809]

A smile overtook the younger brother of  the d'Amaury, alas, he went back to his prayers for his elder brother. Perhaps one day, he too would muster the courage Lothar had. Perhaps not.

[Tide1 4535]

"Good." bid the Emperor to himself with a subtle smirk, and no doubt enjoyed the idea of merit claiming its place among his knights.

[ninjaclimb1 432]

"Good work," bid Martius van Aert, a Knight of the Black Dragon chapter, having heard of the squires recent exploits and successes in his duels. It was good to see such promise, such drive amongst the new generation of squires. Martius then set off, intent on checking on the progress of his own squire.