Andustar

At rest within the Seven Skies, a stubborn but chivalrous Knight looked down upon the congregation of his countrymen. Whether they emerged victorious from the coming battle or were slain to the last, he would greet them in peace all the same when their time came.

"Lady Evangeline never ceases to astonish me with her literary skills! Another fantastic issue," Sir Arthur stated.

A Call to Trial

Circa. 11th of Malin's Welcome, 1909.

By the UNITY OF MIND of the GOVERNMENT in PETRA, serving always CHIVALRY, LIBERTY and JUSTICE, the ROUND TABLE do affirm this EDICT, delivered at MOUNT GARMONT

Concerning the alleged crimes of the Archduchess Renilde I

@tilly

PREAMBLE

LO, unto the Petrans,

Dark times plague the lands of the Petra. In the pursuit of unity and peace, the Knightly Council calls upon Archduchess Renilde I to return to Petra to answer for crimes committed against the people of Petra and stand trial to end this debacle.

The alleged crimes of the Archduchess are an internal affair. The Round Table of Petra calls upon all foreign nations to not intervene and respect the sovereignty of the Commonwealth.

The Knights of the Petrine Laurel swear no harm shall come upon the Archduchess. Let us avoid bloodshed and settle these issues so we may adjudicate.

We call the Archduchess Renilde I to stand trial for the following crimes…

Chapter 1

78. Thieve the property of another Man.

84. Lay with another Man’s spouse, or to lay with another when you are wed.

Chapter 2

99. Raise an army against forces of the Commonwealth

Signed;

Knight Paramount, Sir Arthur de Lyons,
Sir Louis d'Azor,

Sir Brandt Berhal,
Sir Emir d'Abbassia,
Sir Gwendel Vilac,

Dame Livia d'Anapalais,
Sir Lucien Ashford de Rouen.

Albert Salvian frowned upon reading the missive, his heart aching as the sheer depravity of his Mother's actions was brought to light. He then looked to his younger siblings, intent on shielding them from the worst of this heresy.
@PrettyCuteAnna @Sander @Blah_26 @Esterlen

-

The Knight Paramount, Sir Arthur de Lyons, read the missive with an amused smile, running a whetstone along the edge of his longsword.
"Soon the harlot shall pay her dues!"

+ For the Commonwealth +

Circa. 16th Snow's Maiden, 1909.

Dearest Citizens of the Commonwealth,

I write to you now, as a child observing the unfolding of a dire civil war. A witness to the many brave men and women who are prepared to lay down their lives for their country. 

Not once did I imagine conflict would come right to my own doorstep, incited by one dear to my heart no less. Someone I once looked up to as my greatest hero. 

I regret to inform you that my Mother, the former Archduchess Renilde, has betrayed my dearest Father, the Archduke Constanz. The two swore sacred vows to one another, witnessed by GOD Almighty himself, and yet my mother has violated this hallowed oath in pursuit of a relationship with another man. In one fell swoop, she has abandoned her country, her people and her own children to pursue her own selfish desires.

To say I am heartbroken cannot express the feelings of sorrow I now hold within my heart. My family and my dearest homeland have been torn apart by lust and deceit. But though I grieve for our current predicament, I encourage you all to not lose heart. Rather, I ask you to stand together and fight, for our country. Stand with my father, Constanz and ensure the survival of our dearest nation. And whatever storm crashes against our walls we shall repel, with courage and honour! 

And to my Mother, if you still possess any love for me and my siblings, I would ask that you strike your banners and surrender. Give up your lustful desires and repent, for the good of your people. Do not forsake your own blood in favour of sin and evil. Do not give your heart to Iblees.

Signed;

Albert Salvian of the Petra, 

Eldest Son of the Archduke.

Sir Arthur stood watch over the battlements, over the city he swore to protect.
"I swore my sword to the Commonwealth and to the Ducal Throne.. And yet, I find my honour to be violated by the woman I once thought worthy of my service."

The Knight Paramount raised his blade in the air, turning back to look down upon the masses within the courtyard.
"For the Commonwealth! Down with the false Duchess!"

"Well said! Perhaps this will encourage the so-called clergy to climb down from their ivory towers,"

Sir Arthur remarked, following his reading of the missive.

"Wizard!"
Sir Arthur remarked upon reading the treaty.

Sir Arthur, Knight Paramount of the Petrine Laurel, signed the Lorraine as he finished reading the missive.
 

"Come what may there shall be retribution. The deceitful cardinal and his lackeys shan't trespass any further."

He stated with grim determination, eyes set solemnly upon his sword resting beside the church alter.

Tournament Entry Form

Name and Legend : Ser Arthur de Lyons

Age : 28

Race and Allegiance : Human, Petra.

Ser Arthur de Lyons scanned missive with intrigue, a satisfied grin now set upon his visage.

"Perhaps I ought to travel there on some occasion. Get the measure of these knights-errant!"

Harald, @TheEnglishDuck

It goes without saying that your actions as of late have proved less than commendable, or at least to those of whom your silver tongue has yet to charm. For a time I thought I knew you well, believing you to be a virtuous and pious individual. You claimed to be an anointed knight of Hanseti-Ruska and a sanctified priest of the Church of Canon. But I find my perception warped as of late, especially when considering the abuse of your recently divorced wife, Eryane.

Now, I will admit that the intrigues of a shattered foreign marriage are somewhat beyond my scope of expertise. Even when the news emerged of your violent and heinous conduct, I stayed my hand as the political ramifications were not mine to interfere with. However, you have not only insulted your former spouse but have walked the extra mile and dishonoured my lady wife, your sister, Juliana Rosemarie Vernhart de Lyons.  

You have strayed too close to the lion's cage. I will not stand idly by as my wife is insulted in such a spiteful manner, called to repent when she has committed no crime but the mistake of believing you were a better man. Declared unfit to bear her maiden name and birthright whilst you squander the legacy of your forefathers and bloodline, pursuing titles you do not merit.  

By my honour as a Knight, I challenge you to a duel!

Let us settle the matter, before an audience if we must. Just as your life will be on the line, so shall mine, and only God may bear the right to determine the outcome. Should you refuse, with the host of the Seven Skies bearing witness, I shall dub you craven and bear your contempt of the code of chivalry as further proof you are but a rat undeserving of the name Vernhart.

You have one Saint Day to comply!

SIGNED,

Ser Arthur Hughes de Lyons,

Knight of the Sovereign Order of the Petrine Laurel.

Ser Arthur de Lyons smiled as he read the missive, noting the date and time so that he might attend.
 

Ser Arthur would go about making arrangements to attend, intent on his son Robyn being able to see Father Krugmas. @SmartScout

"Impressive! I 'ought to try my hand at one of these dishes."

Remarked Ser Arthur, venturing into the city market to acquire the necessary ingredients for the 'char de brochet'.

An ancient Karovic scion would look down from the Seven Skies, frustrated by the apparent exclusion of prominent Ruskan families and nobility.

The Mayor of Valfleur, Arthur de Lyons, approves of this missive!

Arthur de Lyons

For the People of Valfleur

[!] A hand-held bell rang throughout the main square of Valfleur, calling for the attention of those spectating the market stalls.  Hurriedly, a courier passed out detailed missives to all those present, with the final message: "Don't forget to vote!"  Soon the people of the Commonwealth would cast their ballot in deciding a new mayor, and it seemed yet another candidate was keen to advertise their campaign.

Dearest citizens of the Commonwealth,

The time will shortly be upon us when we, the people, must once again raise our voices in unison and determine the fate of our dear capital, Valfleur.  A wonderful place, enriched by vibrant faces riding the waves of opportunity, and surrounded by a blessed countryside that was surely touched by the hand of GOD himself!  We shall be called to not only elect a new mayor for our capital but also to freely choose a representative that will serve the populace faithfully, nobles and commoners alike.

I, Arthur de Lyons, do hereby put my name forward in candidacy for the position.  

I know some of you might question the legitimacy of my campaign.  I understand your scepticism, for it was not so long ago that I was an outsider - a migrant drawn to the promise of enlightenment and possibility.  But that is exactly what makes the Commonwealth such a wonderful country!  It is a place where any man, no matter their background, can live out their dreams and reap the hard-earned rewards for their labours.  Yet, we cannot expect such a trend to last forever, not without a collective goal in mind and a solid plan for growth.  With your vote, I will make it my objective to expand accommodation within Valfleur and stimulate the economy by encouraging the establishment of more local businesses.

Furthermore, my agenda will also extend to the protection of our city’s populace from threats both external and internal.  I have sworn an oath of service to Her Grace, the Arch-Duchess Renilde I, having marched beneath her banner alongside my fellow Sons of Petra and met her enemies upon the battlefield.  I’m sure there are those among you who are also familiar with my efforts in ridding our heartlands of evil.  In the past year, I have led my fellow men-at-arms in the hunt for the so-called ‘Beast of Petra’, and have already made good progress in destroying the threat once and for all.

I believe my experience in matters of security and my direct approach to providing relief for Valfleur will rightly serve the collective populace.  With your vote, I will utilise my active participation in our armed forces to ensure a constant line of communication between the Sons of Petra and you, the people.  I shall also seek to provide a detailed consultation to the populace, regarding the construction of fortifications and defences in the region. 

Together my friends, I know we can make Valfleur a better place for everyone and expand our proud capital to even greater heights.  So when it comes time to take to the ballot box, I sincerely ask that you vote for Arthur de Lyons, a candidate who will work for you! 

Action! Unity! Prosperity!

Arthur de Lyons would be thoroughly impressed by the content of the missive.

"Quite the imposing figure! And an even more compelling mystery, regarding his death."

"A merry band of soldiers. Fine company!"
Arthur notes, scanning over the missive whilst on patrol.

Easy Pickings

Credit: Bogdan Sovea

The sun sat high above the grain fields of the Commonwealth of Petra, the annual crop swaying briskly with the afternoon breeze.  It was a fortunate day for the local farmers, going about their business and inspecting for blight.  This year’s farmers market would be profitable for certain - at least, that may have been the general attitude were their eyes not trained upon the armed convoy that rotated through the acres.  

Swiftly, Arthur de Lyons directed his party to set up a perimeter, the Sons of Petra spreading out along the boundary where the woodland reached Valfleur.  The Common citizenry dared not tread so close to the treeline; too many had been lost to the maw of those foul forests.  “Refrain from lone ventures in the darkness else that beast will claim you,” or so folk had been saying for some months.  Indeed, many of the supposed disappearances were not cold cases, for it was not long until an unlucky caravaner stumbled upon a set of mangled remains.  Something savage lurked beneath the foliage, delighting in the death it brought upon the valley.  And so Her Grace’s court made clear the appropriate course of action - they would have the head of the assailant!

Bait was set and hours went by, the patience of the hunters wearing thin as they engaged in a long game of cat and mouse.  The afternoon fell to sunset, and so they withdrew to re-evaluate their strategy.  “Borok,” Arthur spied their orc companion, “it was not my intention to split us up, but it seems we have little choice in the matter.”  Attracting their adversary in such a manner was crude, but if any could fair so well against such animalistic fury, surely it was the most imposing among their company.  The rest of the patrol - Lev, Juliana and Adrian - took up their positions in the thicket once again, aurum-tipped spears at the ready for even the slightest disturbance. 

Dusk set in and the region was shrouded in a mix of gloom and silence.  Save for the faint rustling of the occasional tree branch, life had all but fled the scene and the sense someone was watching fell upon the Sons.  Borok, however, was not intimidated, the orc taking up a position deeper within the thicket, gambling that his feigned vulnerability would intrigue even the most sceptical opportunist.  Sure enough, it worked!  The outline of a creature draped in fur made itself apparent, creeping towards its perceived target.  “There you are!”  A gleaming point was flung through the undergrowth, pinning itself to the tree bark, leaving the now-prey little choice but to flee.

The hunt was on! The first strike came from Adrian’s spear, followed closely by Borok on the right, who utilised his sheer mass to clear a path through the brambles.  Next to engage from the centre were Arthur and Lev, the former letting loose an arrow which struck the beast square in the back, while the latter barrelled ahead in a rage.  Finally, flanking to the left was the torchlit Juliana, her nimble frame just about keeping pace with the target, shedding light upon its trembling outline.  The beast was wounded and worse still caught in a deadly pincer.  The tables had turned; it was smart enough to realise this.

“Gotcha *****!”  Adrian swapped his spear for an agile sabre, cutting through the undergrowth with its eager edge.  Lev too had struck ahead, breaking through the branches with his longsword in tow.  Both thought they had cornered their prize, but it was not to be for this time it was they who had fallen victim to deception.  The prey doubled back and pounced the pair in a gambit to shake off the pursuit.  Both men were sent tumbling into the brambles, though at the price of a sabre grazing flesh.  Still, the beast tore an opening in the formation, taking its opportunity to dart clear of the woodland and across the twilight-draped fields.  

The hunters looked on in frustration, peering after what seemed to be a wolf-like figure, shedding not even a limp from the injuries it had sustained.  Yet they had left their mark and the beast would not soon forget such an insult, nor would it accept a challenge upon its territory.  This would not be the final encounter between the two parties…

Special thanks to @Sander for helping organise this event, and to all those who attended!
@CanadaMatt
@MapleSunflower

@DrunkPapaBear

@Gridlock

"A writers league, eh?"

Arthur noted, seemingly intrigued by the missive and its contents.
"Perhaps I should try my hand at some literary work."

@Sander
Arthur de Lyons took to drafting a letter, addressing it to the Master of the Hunt's office. It read as folllows:

Artiev, 

By sanction of Archduke Constanz, it is my intention to gather able-bodied men and women so we might confront the scourge plaguing our lands. I would endeavour to have your support in this act and request any information you have to offer as per the sightings of corpses, or anomalous incidents.

Yours sincerely,
Arthur de Lyons.