"War is not the answer, you know this Septon." Arya sat alone with master Septon in her massive chamber room. Septon had been her personal guard for nearly ten years, and the only one in all of Holengale she trusted. She dare not truth her husband, King Slachorix. Secretly, she had believe him to be going mad as of late. Massing troops along the boarder, slaying his own guardsmen. She had invited Septon into her chamber room to discuss the situation.
"My lady, the king believe this to be the right course, as done most of the council." Septon began in a careful tone.
"And most of the council can be bought off with enough coin, too. You of all people should know, Septon, the council is not to be trusted." Arya had her doubts about the council. They were wrapped to tightly around the kings finger. The only one to ever question the kinds motives was before her now. Septon was old, but was a fierce warrior as he was a councilman.
"You suspect the king paid them off. I admit, that's very possible, however we cannot raise this in the chamber. It would be treason."
"Of course, Septon, but what would you have me do? A war right now would ravish both nations land, Slachorix must know this." The queens tone was thoughtful.
"We cannot change his mind, my lady. No one can." Septon said, matter-of-factly.
She knew this. Once the king made a decision, he shan't be talked out if it. What she couldn't understand was why. Why go to war now? Each nation had everything it needed, what could possible come of this war? Arya had asked the king many a times, only to get the same answer; "We strike before they do." This was ridiculous, she knew. But what could she do? Then she learned the king had sent a group of assassins to kill king Galent. This, of course, was unspeakable. As soon as she found out, she had sent word to the king of Brishire, warning him of the attack. She hoped the king hadn't learned what she had done, but the king had his ways...
"Septon, what do you think I should do?" Arya trusted the old knight, to be sure, but everyone could be bought of with the right amount of gold.
Septon waited a minute, then responded. "I think you should do nothing, my lady. The king is..." He paused, searching for the right words. "Rather stress as of late, and may take any amount of defiance as treason, sad as that may be."
"So you would have me do nothing, as our good nation is destroyed by war? Arya asked. "Right now? yes, my lady. Wait for a bit, see how things play out, please." Septon almost sounded worried.
"Thank you Septon, your council is always welcome. I need my sleep, however." With that Septon took his leave, and she was alone in the too large room. When the footfalls faded, Arya walked over to her bed, and pulled a small vial of liquid out from underneath the mattress. She could scarcely believe what she was planning, but something had to be done, and soon.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Leon trudged through the dense forest. Leon was one of Brishire's greatest swordsmen, why he was out in this forest he didn't understand. Surely the city watch could kill a single angry troll. He looked over his shoulder at the men behind him, and realized that perhaps he was wrong. Most of the city guard were not warriors. Potters and smiths, farmers and chefs who took up steel to protect their city in a time of crisis. It was no small wonder this troll had evade their scouting groups for weeks.
Leon truly hoped that bastard Slachorix was smart enough to realize what war would do for both nations, but it was a fools hope, he knew. Slachorix had been massing me on the other side of the boarder, more each day. Again Leon wondered why he was stuck deep in the forest when Slachorix could attack at any time.
A large stick cracked to his left. Leon held up his hand, and the men at his back stopped dead in their tracks, slowly unsheathing their swords. Leon slowly brought his own sword out. A light blue short sword, forged by one of the greatest smiths who ever lived, his father.
Leon's party was on a small, rarely used road, surround on both sides by dense forest. Another branch snapped, louder this time, closer. He turned back to his men for a moment, looking them over. Nine poorly trained men with steel short swords, not exactly the best fighting force.
"Incoming!" a man in his party yelled, much too loud. Leon looked into the dense brush, but saw nothing. For a second he thought it was just the forest playing tricks on his ears, then the creature emerged right next to the city watch. It was massive, easily ten feet tall, with dark blue skin and a giant war club. It's tiny black, soulless eyes scanned the scared humans. With a ear-shattering scream, it raised it's massive club into the air, and smashed it down on the nearest man. Bones crunched and blood sprayed on the men. None of them moved.
Leon charged the massive beast as it raised it's club for a second strike. Leon let out his own yell before he jumped onto the beasts back. The creature stumbled in surprise, as Leon raised his sword and plunged it deep inside the trolls neck. The beast yelled once more, and swung his club wildly around. Most of the city watch men had bolted when Leon jumped upon the creature, but one remained. The man raised his own swords and ran at the beast. Leon gripped his sword and pulled, however it wouldn't budge. He cursed and jump away from the beast. As he landed, he saw the guardsman rushing at the beast, he tried to scream at the man to get away, but words escaped him.
It happened fast. The rampaging troll, swinging it's massive club blindly with anger, roared again. The guardsman dodged the clumsy swings. Once, twice, three times. The guardsman but at the club-wielding arm, and the beast screamed once more. The troll dropped the club, and the guardsman saw his chance. He stabbed his sword straight up, into the creatures jaw. It was dead before it hit the ground.
Leon walked up to the dead trolls, and yanked his sword. The guardsman did likewise. Leon noticed his wasn't armed with the normal short-sword, this guardsman was using a special sword, much like his own. He was about to say something, but the sound of approaching horses broke the silence. He looked, expecting the captain of the city watch, or someone to that nature, but was surprised when a he saw the Redford Castle emblem on their shields. The knights dismounted their horses and approached the two men. Their leader spoke.
"Sir Leon Causle, King Galent requests an audience with you immediately. You are to report to Castle Redford." The knights pulled an extra horse forward.
"Did he give you a reason, good knight?" Leon asked, watched the seven knights that stood before him.
"No, sir" The knight said, with ample amount of disgust in his voice. Apparently this knight did not like him. It was expect, though. Leon had once been in the Redford Castle Guard, but had been expelled for disobeying orders, multiple times.
"Well, it seems I don't have a choice." Leon began to mount the horse, when the city watch man spoke up.
"Sirs, if you would. Can I please come with you? This troll killed my family, and I have nothing for me here now. I think I can be of some use to Castle Redford."
"You're a city watchmen, you have no place amongst knights. Go back to your shitshack." The lead knight ordered.
Leon had seen this young lad fight. He was better then most of the knights he had seen. And he was right, Castle Redford could use a man like this. "Well, either you take both of us, or neither. Your call, knight" Leon announced.
The knight quieted asked one of his peons a questions, to which he shook his head. "Fine, mount your horses, we must leave now."
Leon and the watchman mounted and road off with the knight. Leon couldn't help but wonder why King Galent had summoned him after all these years.
Leon truly hoped that bastard Slachorix was smart enough to realize what war would do for both nations, but it was a fools hope, he knew. Slachorix had been massing me on the other side of the boarder, more each day. Again Leon wondered why he was stuck deep in the forest when Slachorix could attack at any time.
A large stick cracked to his left. Leon held up his hand, and the men at his back stopped dead in their tracks, slowly unsheathing their swords. Leon slowly brought his own sword out. A light blue short sword, forged by one of the greatest smiths who ever lived, his father.
Leon's party was on a small, rarely used road, surround on both sides by dense forest. Another branch snapped, louder this time, closer. He turned back to his men for a moment, looking them over. Nine poorly trained men with steel short swords, not exactly the best fighting force.
"Incoming!" a man in his party yelled, much too loud. Leon looked into the dense brush, but saw nothing. For a second he thought it was just the forest playing tricks on his ears, then the creature emerged right next to the city watch. It was massive, easily ten feet tall, with dark blue skin and a giant war club. It's tiny black, soulless eyes scanned the scared humans. With a ear-shattering scream, it raised it's massive club into the air, and smashed it down on the nearest man. Bones crunched and blood sprayed on the men. None of them moved.
Leon charged the massive beast as it raised it's club for a second strike. Leon let out his own yell before he jumped onto the beasts back. The creature stumbled in surprise, as Leon raised his sword and plunged it deep inside the trolls neck. The beast yelled once more, and swung his club wildly around. Most of the city watch men had bolted when Leon jumped upon the creature, but one remained. The man raised his own swords and ran at the beast. Leon gripped his sword and pulled, however it wouldn't budge. He cursed and jump away from the beast. As he landed, he saw the guardsman rushing at the beast, he tried to scream at the man to get away, but words escaped him.
It happened fast. The rampaging troll, swinging it's massive club blindly with anger, roared again. The guardsman dodged the clumsy swings. Once, twice, three times. The guardsman but at the club-wielding arm, and the beast screamed once more. The troll dropped the club, and the guardsman saw his chance. He stabbed his sword straight up, into the creatures jaw. It was dead before it hit the ground.
Leon walked up to the dead trolls, and yanked his sword. The guardsman did likewise. Leon noticed his wasn't armed with the normal short-sword, this guardsman was using a special sword, much like his own. He was about to say something, but the sound of approaching horses broke the silence. He looked, expecting the captain of the city watch, or someone to that nature, but was surprised when a he saw the Redford Castle emblem on their shields. The knights dismounted their horses and approached the two men. Their leader spoke.
"Sir Leon Causle, King Galent requests an audience with you immediately. You are to report to Castle Redford." The knights pulled an extra horse forward.
"Did he give you a reason, good knight?" Leon asked, watched the seven knights that stood before him.
"No, sir" The knight said, with ample amount of disgust in his voice. Apparently this knight did not like him. It was expect, though. Leon had once been in the Redford Castle Guard, but had been expelled for disobeying orders, multiple times.
"Well, it seems I don't have a choice." Leon began to mount the horse, when the city watch man spoke up.
"Sirs, if you would. Can I please come with you? This troll killed my family, and I have nothing for me here now. I think I can be of some use to Castle Redford."
"You're a city watchmen, you have no place amongst knights. Go back to your shitshack." The lead knight ordered.
Leon had seen this young lad fight. He was better then most of the knights he had seen. And he was right, Castle Redford could use a man like this. "Well, either you take both of us, or neither. Your call, knight" Leon announced.
The knight quieted asked one of his peons a questions, to which he shook his head. "Fine, mount your horses, we must leave now."
Leon and the watchman mounted and road off with the knight. Leon couldn't help but wonder why King Galent had summoned him after all these years.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Chapter three - Mason
'Like a leaf in the wind' Mason thought as he ran past the boarder watches camp, his fellow assassins following close. There were 20 of them in all, with Mason as their leader. They had but one mission, kill the king. Mason had protested taking such a large group, but Slachorix had insisted. So Mason gathered his best men, and set out.
He ran past multiple boarder camps, none of which noticed the assassins presence. 'Says a lot about their men' Mason thought as he ran past yet another group of Brishire's soldiers.
The assassins continued running until they were well out of sight from the boarder guard. They gathered under a large pine tree.
Quietly, Mason gave his orders. The assassins dispersed, leaving Mason alone once more. He began moving again, heading towards Castle Redford, and his target.
Slowly Mason's mind drifted as he ran, and it nearly cost him his life. He burst through the treeline, only to come face to face with a small scout party, comprised of four very stunned Brishire men. For a moment the just stood there, then Mason quickly grabbed his golden dagger and silently slit one of the soldiers throat. The other three slowly realized what was happening, and began to draw their swords. Mason moved fast, and two more men dropped dead. The last man, a look of horror in his eyes, attempted to run. He didn't make it very far, however, as Mason stabbed him quietly in the stomach.
The battle had only taken seconds, but to Mason it seemed like a lifetime. He silently cursed himself for being so careless as he moved the bodies into the forest. And with that, began on his way once more. He hoped the rest of the trip would be uneventful.
He ran past multiple boarder camps, none of which noticed the assassins presence. 'Says a lot about their men' Mason thought as he ran past yet another group of Brishire's soldiers.
The assassins continued running until they were well out of sight from the boarder guard. They gathered under a large pine tree.
Quietly, Mason gave his orders. The assassins dispersed, leaving Mason alone once more. He began moving again, heading towards Castle Redford, and his target.
Slowly Mason's mind drifted as he ran, and it nearly cost him his life. He burst through the treeline, only to come face to face with a small scout party, comprised of four very stunned Brishire men. For a moment the just stood there, then Mason quickly grabbed his golden dagger and silently slit one of the soldiers throat. The other three slowly realized what was happening, and began to draw their swords. Mason moved fast, and two more men dropped dead. The last man, a look of horror in his eyes, attempted to run. He didn't make it very far, however, as Mason stabbed him quietly in the stomach.
The battle had only taken seconds, but to Mason it seemed like a lifetime. He silently cursed himself for being so careless as he moved the bodies into the forest. And with that, began on his way once more. He hoped the rest of the trip would be uneventful.
Chapter two - Lanister
"It's all bullshit anyway." Captain Minson talked over the cackle of the fire. "Holengale ain't gonna attack us any time soon. Bunch of cowards, they are."
The men in Lanisters unit chuckled. They had been position at the boarder over three months ago, and still not a sight of the cowardly Holengale warriors. During the day they would train, during the night they would share stories and riddles.
They boarder itself was nothing more then a flat plane dotted with the occasional tree. The planes stretched for miles in either direction, and they were more then a mile wide.
Lanister slowly rose to his feet, and started off for his tent. Most of the other men in his unit would be up for hours, but Lanister was tired, and wanted nothing more then to lay his head down and let sleep wash over him.
"Bugger..." he said quietly to himself. He never understood why the tents had to be so damn far from the camp. He tripped over a stone, and cursed. He got to his feet once more, when a rustling shattered the silence around him.
"Uh, hello?" He asked. Lanister could see nothing in the darkness, and, due to his absentmindedness, forgot to bring a lantern. He waited as the night returned to the silence he was accustomed to.
'Probably the wind' he thought as he reached his tent. He slid off his armor and lay down to sleep. Within seconds dreams of war invaded his mind.
The men in Lanisters unit chuckled. They had been position at the boarder over three months ago, and still not a sight of the cowardly Holengale warriors. During the day they would train, during the night they would share stories and riddles.
They boarder itself was nothing more then a flat plane dotted with the occasional tree. The planes stretched for miles in either direction, and they were more then a mile wide.
Lanister slowly rose to his feet, and started off for his tent. Most of the other men in his unit would be up for hours, but Lanister was tired, and wanted nothing more then to lay his head down and let sleep wash over him.
"Bugger..." he said quietly to himself. He never understood why the tents had to be so damn far from the camp. He tripped over a stone, and cursed. He got to his feet once more, when a rustling shattered the silence around him.
"Uh, hello?" He asked. Lanister could see nothing in the darkness, and, due to his absentmindedness, forgot to bring a lantern. He waited as the night returned to the silence he was accustomed to.
'Probably the wind' he thought as he reached his tent. He slid off his armor and lay down to sleep. Within seconds dreams of war invaded his mind.
Chapter one - King Galent
King Galent slouched in his uncomfortable throne, contemplating the news. All the members of his royal guard were silent, waiting for the kings reaction. The king sat amongst his royal guard.
"Assassination, are you sure?" The king's voice boomed through his auditorium.
"Yes, my lord. I personally dispatched our best spies. According to their information, King Slachorix is planning an assassination. Probably as a diversion so he can enter our kingdom with more ease." Sir Cort stood tall in the hall. Wearing the traditional Brishire blue-green armor, a short sword at his side. Sir Cort had served the king for many years, longer then anyone else in the Kings Royal Guard.
"I assume their word is reliable, Sir Cort?" The king asked, already sure of the answer.
"Absolutely." The Royal Guard said with absolute conviction. "The spies I dispatched are the best at what they do, they would not guide us wrong."
"My lord, if I may?" A new voice. Galent turned to see Sir Dyses. Dyses was new to the kings royal order, but he was one of the best tacticians the land had ever seen, not to mention a fierce fighter, for one so young. He stood at just under six feet, with cool gray eyes and dark brown hair.
"Go ahead, Dyses." The king commanded.
"Well, it's possible this is a trap. King Slachorix is no fool, he would keep information of an assassination to only himself and the senior members of his council. Perhaps he planted this myth amongst the populace hoping one of our spies would hear the rumor." Dyses explained as the rest of the Royal Guard watched him.
"A trap? how so?" Cort questioned the new guard.
"Well, if we bring troops back from to boarder to protect the king, it will only weaken an already shaky front." Dyses continued. "Even a few hundred missing troops could severely weaken our tactical standing on the boarder" After a pause, the young knight added "My lord."
"Interesting" The king considered this possibility. He had honestly not thought of this possibility. After a moment, he looked to Cort. "How many men do we have stationed in the castle?"
"At the moment, we have less then one hundred men stationed at Castle Redford, my lord. Most available troops are stationed at the boarder." Cort sounded almost nervous, the king noted.
Again the room feel silent as the king considered this. Finally, after many minutes the king spoke. "We cannot sacrifice any men along the boarder, this I am sure. I have complete faith in my Royal Guard to protect me. For now, monitor Holengale's troop movement and notify me of any changes."
"My lord, with all due respect, the guard is only five men." Another voice spoke, Sir Seph, the best fighter of the group. He had won many battles in his time.
The king sighed. "And how many assassins do you think the can sneak past the boarder? No, I have made my decision. Follow your orders, soldier."
Seph's face burnt red for a moment. "Yes, my lord."
"But for now, I am weary. I shall retire now." The king slowly rose from his massive throne, and slowly made his way to his gigantic bedroom.
The king slowly slipped on his luxurious bear pelt robe, and slowly drifted into bed, where his queen was already asleep. Within moment he drifted off himself.
"Assassination, are you sure?" The king's voice boomed through his auditorium.
"Yes, my lord. I personally dispatched our best spies. According to their information, King Slachorix is planning an assassination. Probably as a diversion so he can enter our kingdom with more ease." Sir Cort stood tall in the hall. Wearing the traditional Brishire blue-green armor, a short sword at his side. Sir Cort had served the king for many years, longer then anyone else in the Kings Royal Guard.
"I assume their word is reliable, Sir Cort?" The king asked, already sure of the answer.
"Absolutely." The Royal Guard said with absolute conviction. "The spies I dispatched are the best at what they do, they would not guide us wrong."
"My lord, if I may?" A new voice. Galent turned to see Sir Dyses. Dyses was new to the kings royal order, but he was one of the best tacticians the land had ever seen, not to mention a fierce fighter, for one so young. He stood at just under six feet, with cool gray eyes and dark brown hair.
"Go ahead, Dyses." The king commanded.
"Well, it's possible this is a trap. King Slachorix is no fool, he would keep information of an assassination to only himself and the senior members of his council. Perhaps he planted this myth amongst the populace hoping one of our spies would hear the rumor." Dyses explained as the rest of the Royal Guard watched him.
"A trap? how so?" Cort questioned the new guard.
"Well, if we bring troops back from to boarder to protect the king, it will only weaken an already shaky front." Dyses continued. "Even a few hundred missing troops could severely weaken our tactical standing on the boarder" After a pause, the young knight added "My lord."
"Interesting" The king considered this possibility. He had honestly not thought of this possibility. After a moment, he looked to Cort. "How many men do we have stationed in the castle?"
"At the moment, we have less then one hundred men stationed at Castle Redford, my lord. Most available troops are stationed at the boarder." Cort sounded almost nervous, the king noted.
Again the room feel silent as the king considered this. Finally, after many minutes the king spoke. "We cannot sacrifice any men along the boarder, this I am sure. I have complete faith in my Royal Guard to protect me. For now, monitor Holengale's troop movement and notify me of any changes."
"My lord, with all due respect, the guard is only five men." Another voice spoke, Sir Seph, the best fighter of the group. He had won many battles in his time.
The king sighed. "And how many assassins do you think the can sneak past the boarder? No, I have made my decision. Follow your orders, soldier."
Seph's face burnt red for a moment. "Yes, my lord."
"But for now, I am weary. I shall retire now." The king slowly rose from his massive throne, and slowly made his way to his gigantic bedroom.
The king slowly slipped on his luxurious bear pelt robe, and slowly drifted into bed, where his queen was already asleep. Within moment he drifted off himself.
The King - Backstory
Backstory:
Tristenfall was a land in turmoil. Wars raged for hundreds of years. After countless battles, the kings of the land signed a peace treaty, and a shaky alliance silenced the lands. Slowly the smaller kingdoms were absorbed by the large, more powerful kingdoms. Eventually, only two kingdoms remained, Brishire in the north, and Holengale in the south. Tension slowly built between the two nations.Seemly without warning, King Slachorix of Holengale declared war on King Galent Brishire. After over three hundred years of peace, war once again arrived in the land.
Tristenfall was a land in turmoil. Wars raged for hundreds of years. After countless battles, the kings of the land signed a peace treaty, and a shaky alliance silenced the lands. Slowly the smaller kingdoms were absorbed by the large, more powerful kingdoms. Eventually, only two kingdoms remained, Brishire in the north, and Holengale in the south. Tension slowly built between the two nations.Seemly without warning, King Slachorix of Holengale declared war on King Galent Brishire. After over three hundred years of peace, war once again arrived in the land.
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