Afternoon of the 2nd
Kinsday of Petals - The Chambers of the Company
Referee
The fire in the hearth
has burned down and candles provide the illumination in your room
that the light from the overcast sky fail to do. There is a platter
of dried and salted fish on the table and a carafe of wine.
Ser Perilake The Gilded
Knight
Perilake takes the
carafe and pours a cup for each of them. He stares into the liquid
for a moment, then raises his gaze to his brothers. "More blood,
then. More darkness between Kranach and Karpat." He sighs "I
suppose we should have known that Iron would not bend... that they
would never release the Snare Knight from their trap." He takes
a long drink from his cup. "And the beast... We sit in the
realms greatest court, and yet I cannot say we have found justice"
Anastaz The Salt Knight
Anastaz drinks, and
nibbles thoughtfully at some fish. "Could it be wrong that we
were wrong about the Bat? Perhaps we misunderstood the Seers, or...
ugh." He rubs his temples. "Gundhilde, I think the armor is
clean. Sit, eat if you want. It may be your last day as my squire."
Referee
Gundhilde puts away the
rag. ”As you wish my lord.” She walks over to the table but
refuses to take a seat. ”Do you think Lady Bianca is innocent? If
she is not … well her fate is already decided and you will clearly
win." She pauses for a second and adds quietly, "I'd reckon
you would win if only mastery decided the outcome.”
Ser Perilake The Gilded
Knight
"She is guilty of
breaking her vow. But so is Dagmar, however long ago, for however
noble her cause." Perilake bangs a hand on the table, but with
more resignation than force. "And the secret is now out. Dagmars
actions hold no power beyond opinion, and what she was scared of has
come to pass. Yet the route taken demands answering still. What a
waste." He looks at Anastasz and Gunhilde. "The Iron Knight
is fierce, yet Salt will turn such strength to rust. The victor is
sure on both measures by my reckoning. This battle will spare the
King, and it may douse the sparks of mutiny in Karpat, or at least
the fire of those would label them as such. But it will only fuel the
emnity between the houses... Those sworn to vengeance will see only
more to avenge. Another betrayal."
 |
| The quiet before the storm |
Heldris The Dove Knight
Heldris sits broodingly
on a stool, holding tightly on the cup of wine that Perilake has
handed him. “Yes, more hate, more resentment, more confusion on
this day before Sceptermass. When knights and lords should renew
their vows of loyalty,” he sighs, “I feel my faith in the realm
withering today.” He shows a forced smile. “Perhaps you're right,
Anastaz, the Creature might be guilty for all we know. It’s just…
if even a shadow of a doubt… but the court seemed so eager of
blood… as with this trial by combat. I have no doubt the Salt
Knight will prevail, but there must be a better way, a better example
for the lords before Sceptermass.”
Ser Perilake The Gilded
Knight
"But what can we
do? The King has made his final judgement. The beast is no knight,
there can be no trial by combat. Who would even be the combatants?"
Perilake downs his wine, and pours another.
Anastaz The Salt Knight
The Salt Knight furrows
his brow. "I do not like to imagine an innocent creature being
killed. But what is the alternative? The King demands it, and it is
not our right to question him. Justice is not always easy."
Referee
When there is a knock
on the door Gundhilde opens it to reveal the Sheriff and a servant
standing in the corridor. The servant who is holding writing
implements follows Lady Margaret into the room and places them on the
table. "Some formalities, I'm
afraid. Salt Knight, you need to declare your second. You need to
nominate who will inherit your title and possessions in case of
death. You will also have to sign that you relief your family from
invoking a feud. Lady Bianca has done the same. She has promoted Sir
Ulrich to be her second.” She hands you the quill.
Heldris The Dove Knight
Heldris begrudgingly
agrees that there is nothing to be done. But just as he starts to
reply about protecting the innocents, he’s interrupted by a knock
on the door. The morbid formalities brought by the Sheriff cast him
back to his sombre mood.
Anastaz The Salt Knight
Anastaz strokes his
chin for a moment. "I think to make Zoltan my second, and my
successor." He glances at Perilake. "By your leave, Sir?"
Ser Perilake The Gilded
Knight
Perilake puts his cup
down slowly, and stares for a moment at Anastasz. "I cannot
speak on my squires behalf in this. But you.... you have my trust. I
will not forbid it." His voice lowers to a whisper as he stares
into Anastasz's eyes. "Though I question why you would do this,
I trust you." He stands. "I will ask Zoltan. If he
declines, I will be your second. If it pleases you."
Anastaz The Salt Knight
"It would."
Ser Perilake The Gilded
Knight
Perilake leans close
across the table, his hands gripping the cup with white knuckles. "If
you mean to place the boy in a fight to the death with the Iron
Knight or his father, then my judgement is more tarnished than I
imagined possible." He speaks softly and low before standing. He
nods at the Sheriff and speaks clearly. "I will let you know the
outcome of our conversation by dawn. If Zoltan will not act as
second, then I will." The lustre of the Gilded Knight seems far
faded, his words falling like lead into the melancholy silence of the
room as he departs in search of his squire.
Referee
You find young Zoltan
in the stable. He is talking to Blackwyn in a low voice while he his
combing down the steed. “ … and then he offered me The Crane, can
you imagine?” Blackwyn whickers as you approach and Zoltan turns
around, drops the brush and steps back blushing.”My lord, I ...”
Ser Perilake The Gilded Knight
"What, Zoltan?
Speak clearly. I have been long patient with your words, but that
patience was broken alongside your word to me in the Karpat tent.
Even a failed murderer is a man, not a boy who mumbl-"
Perilake's anger boils forth, before he bites his tongue with a hiss.
He composes himself. "I regret those words. Whatever my
disappointment, I would not be cruel to you. But I would ask you
still to speak clearly to me, to tell me - honest and true." He
sits on a bale of hay, and stares at his squire. "The trial of
combat requires the knights to choose seconds. Lady Bianca has named
your father, and he has accepted. Sir Anastasz... I do not know why.
But Sir Anastasz has chosen you. I am here to ask if you will accept
- but first... first I must ask that you listen to me." He leans
forward and pulls Zoltan's hands towards him, bringing the boy
sitting alongside him on the hay. "You have heard the Snare
Knight's words now, heard the truth of that bloody day. Her secret is
known to all of the court; she cannot be blackmailed, but even those
sympathetic to her motivations will no longer trust her." "And
you have seen what vengeance is to bring the Iron Knight - and to
your house, to the realm. For the difference between exile and death
is only whether the grievances will be borne publicly or privately.
The only one who might change that is Dagmar, who may forgive Bianca
her crimes. Yet the Snare Knight is captured in the noose of
damnation, and her only support is her house. Without others, she
would merely declare herself prey forever." "So tell me, as
my sworn squire, if you are that still. What is it you want to say to
me?"
Referee
Zoltan starts mumbling
before cursing under his breath and falling silent again. He balls
his fists and starts speaking, slowly pressing every word between
gritted teeth. "My lord … What I did in the tent … I have
broken my promise and I am unworthy to … " He slips from the
hay bale and gets on one knee. "I served Sir Johann well and he
was a good teacher but when you fought him at the tournament I prayed
to the Lake and the Shrouded Isle that you would win, the Knight in
the Golden Armour. I dreamt of visiting Seers and follow their
guidance and protecting the Realm. I dreamt of slaying mystical
beasts and mundane vagabonds. And it all came true: I heard the
Entombed Seer speak! I was there when the Eye sprouted from the
ground! We rid the Realm of the Bandits and slew the Wolfspider in
its lair." He looks up at you pleadingly. "Please my lord,
I will never let you down again, I swear, but don't send me back to
Kranach!"
Referee
Heldris, you make your
way once again to the old Game Hall. The smell of dust and old wood
familiar and even comforting. When you close the wooden door and
light your candle it is dark and very quiet. At the shaft you crouch
down and hear the same humming as before but softer and you imagine
the creature hiding within its broken wings.
Heldris The Dove Knight
Under the dim light of the half-consumed candle, Heldris crouches near the trapdoor. “Im sorry, I've failed to keep my promise. My words weren't enough, I thought the King would listen to reason. But what else can be done? My faith is withering.” He sighs, “I wish the Sunlite Seer were here to guide me.”
Referee
The Bat falls silent
for a while and then it croaks louder than before as if peaking out
through its wings: "Huu came for mee? All alone I chwait but huu
came! Thank huu Chnight. Huu gave mee chhope chwhen I was all alone.
Thank huu ...” And then it starts humming softly again, wrapped in
its wings, alone in the dark.
Ser Perilake The Gilded
Knight
Perilake looks up, his
face heavy. "But you dream still of revenge, true? Against a
woman who made the mistake of believing she could save lives during a
war." He stands. "I suppose at least one dream will not
come true, though as with Dagmar, blood will be spilled no matter the
intent." "I will not send you back to Kranach. You will
remain my squire. I will hope.... I will hope that you are flawed,
not false. That you will live up to my expectations, foolish as they
may be." The Gilded Knight speaks low as he unknowingly echoes
the words of his squire and the Salt Knight. "I will hope that
you will show the realm the strength of a true knight. To put the
balance of honour and duty to all above the fires of your heart."
He sighs heavily, his voice dropping to a whisper. "And I will
hope that there is some way tomorrow does not see death, though I see
no means within my power." He shakes his head. "Enough of
this. I have spoken long enough. Tell Sir Anastasz if you will accept
the position as second; tell him you have my blessing in either
decision. I am weary, and I will see you in the morrow."
Referee
Zoltan reaches out to
kiss your hand but he catches himselft and bows, the outreached hand
performing a flowery gesture instead. "I thank you my lord and I
accept the Salt Knight's request ... " Zoltan can't suppress a
beaming smile which disappears quickly when he remembers Anastaz
wish." ... but with a heavy heart." Behind him you see Sir
Ulrich passing the stables. He is leaving the castle in the direction
of the hedge. He is deep in thought and hasn't seen neither you nor
his own son. When you catch up with him he has reached the oak grove
above the circle of stones, sitting between the trees. He looks up at
you. "So you have heard about the Iron Knights decision? I will
second her at dawn."
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| The Oak Grove |
Ser Perilake The Gilded
Knight
"I have, my lord.
I still pray there is some way to avoid this, for my own foolishness.
" Perilake takes a seat opposite and takes the measure of the
man. "I am glad we have finally met. I would tell you that your
son... your son has the makings of a fine Knight. Brave, fierce,
strong. Loyal." He stares at the older man. " I would ask
you my lord; you gave up your seat in the name of peace. Yet you
passed to your son a duty of vengeance.... Why?"
Referee
"I gave up my seat
…in the name of peace?" He laughs bitterly. "Yes of
course! As to why I told Zoltan: He would have heard it anyway and
better he hears it from me than on the courtyard from a fellow squire
who loves to gossip. Vengeance is for the brave and for the foolish,"
he touches the silk of his fine tunic, "… and I am neither. I
hope you are right about my son."
Ser Perilake The Gilded
Knight
"If not for peace,
then....?" Perilake shakes his head. "Your son is but a boy
still. But I have hope it is bravery and not foolishness that he will
rise to. Even if the realm cannot." Perilake leans forward.
"Your son is to second the Salt Knight in his defence of Lady
Dagmars honour."
Referee
Sir Ulrich stares at
you incredulously before exclaiming: “What? … Why would Sir
Anastaz …?” He shakes his head and mumbles angrily under his
breath. “Maybe Lady Bianca is right about the Salt Knight ...” He
gets up and shakes out his tunic.”I guess it's too late now. I need
to speak to Zoltan about the Iron Knight's requests concerning the
duel.”
Heldris The Dove Knight
Panic-stricken, Heldris
flees from the voice of the innocent creature. Tears blurring his
vision, he takes the route to the other end of the secret tunnel. He
stumbles in the dark until he can feel the heavy slab on the tunnel
ceiling. But instead of the dusty light of the old auditorium, his
eyes are met by the dim daylight surrounding the old menhir and the
stone circle where the Feast of the Stars had taken place. He look up
at the sky behind the old stones, clearing his vision with the sleeve
of his shirt.
Referee
The sky is overcast and
the sun a mere suggestion beyond the banks of clouds. Between the oak
trees on the hill you see Sir Ulrich and The Gilded Knight arguing. A thin branch above them sways slightly as a dove takes
flight. It gains height and glides overhead as suddenly a single ray
of sunlight bathes you in golden warmth. A moment later the dove and
the light are gone and the world is grey again. But the warmth
remains.
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