Coaster

August Flay burps.

Fits of rage can be heard from the manor of August Flay in Arethor. A man, visibly shaken exits, he makes his way to the central fountain and begins making announcements.

P-People of Are-Arethor and this Holy Oren Empire! I have grievous news which besets m-my heart with sorrow! Recently, the Lord August Flay, Lord Prominent of Seventis and Warden of the North has been wedded to Ari Hightower, in the witness of God and the people of this Empire, a t-time of much joy and happiness for the people and the Lord Flay!

The man pauses for a moment, taking time to regain his composure and voice.

But this happiness was stolen from him! The dwarves of the Urguan Empire kidnapped Ari Hightower soon after, leaving three men of Flay dead and a great sadness on the Lord! This action cannot be forgiven! The Lord Flay is offering 5 blocks of solid diamond for the man or woman who can bring him his wife back! Vengeance has been sworn, but the Lord Flay hopes some peaceful resolution is still achievable! Be wary people of Arethor, and be vigilant!

August Flay burps

A town crier yells in the center of Arethor, passing out fliers with information. When a sufficient amount of people gather, he speaks.

Hear ye' people of Arethor and Oren! A joyous day is soon upon us! I am here to announce the wedding of Lord August Flay, Lord Prominent of Seventis and Warden of the North, patron of the former House Flay - and Baroness Ari La Fay of Salvus of the line La Fay, come two elven days, at the church of Saint Everard here in Arethor! All members of society, from the peasant to the Emperor himself are permitted to come, save for the Sarients of the Teutonic Order and Hightowers of Salvus! The celebration will be grand, but be warned, any show of weapons, armor, or persons unwanted will result in punishment!

The crier begins passing out informational fliers

When: Two elven days ((Sunday 23nd of July 3PM EST))

Where: The Church of Saint Everard in Arethor

Who: Everyone except the Teutonic Order and members of House Hightower

Additional Information: Anyone causing trouble or with weapons and armor will be killed on the spot by guards.

Stops rolling Grool for a moment and speaks

August Flay burps and shrugs.

August Flay burps.

August enters with two men, their faces obscured by red bandannas.

"After fervent discussion with the Emperor, I agree to lend my men for the attacks."

August Flay burps.

blinks as he sees Alyssia stumble into Arethor and shrugs. He speaks with a smirk, unnoticeable past his bandanna.

"I didn't do it."

It was a beautiful day. One where even a man like August Flay could appreciate the wonders of nature. In the field he stood in, he could hear the distant chirping of birds and feel the warmth of the sun overhead. The flat grassland was unblemished with the exception of the large graveyard that occupied the center, marked by flying standards of the former House Flay.

"My lord, we waste our time here."

The voice was gruff, uncaring. August turned and looked to his former squire John Lefthand, pressed into service by force on threat of his life by the head Flay; now the young man's loyalty was genuine and unquestioned. Behind stood almost twenty men of Lord Flay's household guard, shuffling restlessly. The inverted skinned figure that marked the Flay banner waved over them, held by Thrive the dwarven traitor. It was strange to August how the three foot tall dwarf was able to carry the huge standard, but the thought was pushed out quickly.

"When a man goes into battle, he knows not if he will live or die, just as these men did not. We must acknowledge their bravery so when we go into the fray, we do good on their sacrifice."

John nodded understanding, but was all too aware of the way August had contradicted himself. Many times he had been known for telling the men that they were all expendable and worth little in the end. He shrugged away the dissent that came with the memory of the lack of appreciation and stepped back with the other soldiers.

August walked slowly through the home of the fallen men of Flay, his heavy armor clanking as he did so. He stopped at almost every grave, patting gravestones, muttering a few words, or just staring at the patches of dirt. "Here lies, Rio Coconuts" "This grave marks the resting place of Cabadath" "Tom is in here, dead" the graves went on and on. He looked at the places where his comrades rested but could not feel sympathy. There was no deep sadness that brought his stomach into his feet, no thought of regret for the lives lost fighting in his name. If anything August had come to the grim site to appease his men. In this way, August Flay may ironically be the saddest man in Asulon. He turned to leave, suddenly feeling disinterested, but stopped himself. A slow turn, off the heel of his foot and a few steps forward brought him to two more graves, similar to all the others except for the text written upon them.

'Tiberius Flay 14-41. Succumbed to wounds obtained in honorable battle.'

'Gawyn Flay 17-40. Succumbed to wounds obtained in honorable battle.'

August blinked, and read the tombstones again. His two brothers, his only family. His prodigies and successors. A pang of regret filled August, so powerful that he was brought to his knees before the graves. The soldiers standing several dozen meters away watched with interest, never had August shown such emotion. August could feel the eyes on him, but did not care and instead continued thinking of his brothers. He had never given Tiberius the proper training he needed, and never gave Gawyn the respect and positions he deserved. Why had he so forsaken the only family he had in the world? The only two people who he could have been close to and trusted? At that moment August realized how lonely he was. He trusted none of his own soldiers fully and obviously felt only disdain for those outside his household.

Two patches of resplendent flowers grew near the graves. Seeing them, August plucked two, one red, the other yellow, and placed them on the graves respectively.

"Watch over me brothers, although I did not do the same for you."

With these words August rose, the expression of grief on his face gone, replaced with his usual stone faced look. There was yet a war to be fought. The dwarves had dared to steal from him and in response he would bring about his full strength to punish them. More men would die, ones he had fought with for decades but would never really accept as true friend. Yet it was a worthy cause to die for, because it was his cause they put their lives on the line for. He approached his men who averted their eyes and pretended not to have seen the weakness displayed moments ago. With a single nod that they all understood, the men of Flay marched off towards the mighty Dwarven Empire, intent on fighting as they always have.

The room was completely dead. The skins of August Flay's enemies that hung on the walls adding literally to the deep silence in the meeting room. August Flay rested his fingertips on his temple, his officers either staring at their feet or at no where in particular. Finally, he rose and with a prompt slam on the table with an armored gauntlet; spoke:

It has been months since I sent my missive to the barbarians across our narrow straits, and no reply has yet found me. Our scouts tell us that they are quite active, so I have no doubt that it reached them...We have been spurned, by filthy mongrels who live off rotten meat no less.

August paced around the room, the eyes of his followers rising and keeping track. He raised in hand and motioned it with it as a sign of irritation.

This is what we have been reduced to! A mere entity to be ignored at whim, put aside by those scum as a child kicks away pebbles! Has my reputation fallen so low? Am I not /August Flay/, the man who brought nations to their knees, begging for mercy?! I have been embarrassed before the nobles of Seventis, the rank and file soldiers who are bound to die for my cause, and as well to you few privileged before me now...by the leader of this pitiful collection of backwater hamlets. I will teach those fools what it means to cross me, my pride must be regained!

At those words, the men stiffened up, and August placed both hands on the table, leaning forward and spitting the words into his bandanna.

Rally the household guard, the houses Vallark and Guivret. For I give them one last week to come before me, and pay fealty to their betters. You men know what happens if I am ignored again...the Emperor did not place me in this position to make peace...Have the letter resent. I will be generous.

A few men cheer, though most remain silent, dreading the thought of yet another war. They have fought near every moment of their lives due to the war mongering of their leader, and none doubt the threats of August Flay to start another conflict for such a small reason as a lack of a timely response to a message.