Chapter #4A month later... by: Falcon   First of Firemoot.
Another month until the tourney begins, and there’s still many things to prepare before that. Despite that, I receive word that knights, warriors, archers and fighters from all corners of the realm decides to enter the tourney early.
Not only that, word of my tourney has spread beyond the realm: knights from Paladia and the Empire and swordsmen from the kingdoms of the Patriqas Peninsula wants to enter as well!
I’ve never thought that I would bring in so much attention.
But I have no time thinking about it today though.
Raynald Sarwyck, Earl of Riverspring, had recently passed away, at the age of 62. He was a close friend of Lord Herbert, my father and mother, so I felt obligated to attend his burial, as do Lord Herbert. When I arrived on horse the day before the burial, however, I saw something I didn't expect;
All the times I heard and read about Riverspring, it was one of the regions most flourishing towns. But now I see that much has changed in 15 years. It is now a devastated land and is currently plagued with troubles. Peasants and commoners are going hungry and the poor die of either sickness or famine. The deep misery into which the peasants have sunk and the progressive exodus of merchants and the middle-classes has led the estate to being placed in a somewhat fragile economic and political state.
I approached the castle gates accompanied by most of the Council (Earl Edwin and Abbess Violet stayed behind to run the kingdom in my absent, with Zandria working with her spies), and the Connor-brothers among my bodyguards.
The guards at the gates, led by an officer named Greydon, opened for us and let us through.
Once within the walls we were greeted by Lady Elyana Sarwyck, daughter of the late Earl Sarwyck, and by her side was her younger brother, Gawen Sarwyck, their cousin Sir Ryman, captain of the guard, and Brother Harwyn, the aged monk, counselor, healer and tutor of House Sarwyck.
”Your Majesty”, said Elyana, ”I welcome you to Riverspring. We’re honored by your visit and thankful for your condolences and the Council's”, she and the others bowed their heads and I nodded in respond.
I later demanded the monk an explanation for what I saw outside and Brother Harwyn told me in private: Sir Alester Sarwyck, heir to Riverspring and renowned war-hero, had disappeared 15 years ago, and there was no word of him since then.
Earl Raynald began to change after that. He began to live more and more in the past and stopped taking care of his duties. He even went so far that he blamed my grandfather, his liege, for the disappearance of Alester.
Elyana quickly found herself managing more than she should have. When I asked if Elyana helped her father govern, Harwyn answered reluctantly that in these last few months, she practically run the House herself. But, in spite of her efforts, she was unable to slow the inevitable ruin of the town of Riverspring, without an Earl.
And as for Gawen, he was being belittled endlessly by their father, who didn't want him as an heir. So far that he repeatedly prevented Gawen receiving knighthood and one time nearly disinherited him, for no reason. And that was the night Earl Sarwyck died, and since then, Elyana has tried to manage the lands of House Sarwyck.
But all is not so dark: Duke Wincestre is of forgiving nature and Raynald’s vassals remained faithful to their oath. They all will come to the burial in order to honor his memory.
^^^^^^^
Later that afternoon I saw Sir Ryman watch over the training of his men. I asked to participate and was allowed to. Gawen volunteered to face me and I couldn't deny that of course (and I wanted to see if he’s good with a sword).
We each took a practice-sword and stood ready at the center of the courtyard. When I see his guard being low, I decided to give him a few lessons I got a few years ago.
”Don't use a low guard”, Gawen gave me a confused look and Ryman and the others got curious, ”Let me show something I learned from Thegn Godfrey of Longdale. Take a high guard, like this”, I raised my sword above me, ”The Apollonians call it la posta del falcone - the guard of the hawk. You strike from high”, I swinged from right, ”Like this”, then left and then from above, ”Do it”, Gawen raised his sword, ”Sword straighter” I told him, ”Come on. Leg back. Bend your knees. Sword straighter”, and so we began our practice while everyone around us looked on with disbelief. Me, a young boy, training a man older than me?
”Defend yourself”, he blocks a few of my strikes, but when he forces the blade downwards, I shifted the hilt to his surprised face, ”The blade isn't the only part of the sword”
And we went on like this, and then he got the hang of it. And he’s certainly good with a sword, good enough for a warrior. When we were done, I suddenly heard someone say, ”You two are good. But not against Orcs or Giants”
I turned and saw none other than the legendary Sir Mors Westford, also known as ”the Butcher” (http://vignette1.wikia.nocookie.net/game...). He earned that name 10 years ago, when he and a few soldiers followed a group of Draconian raiders from Aeryn, home of the ferocious Draconians. There they were forced to fight a whole clutch, and Sir Mors fought and killed a majority of them. He’s older now with grey hair and stubb, but I can see his facial scars from years of battle.
Sir Ryman walked straight towards him and shakes his hand with big smile, ”Mors! One of two heroes of Stag’s Mount! Good to see you again!”
”And to you, Sir Ryman”, Sir Mors replied. He was also blamed by Earl Raynald and he was forbidden to ever travel to Riverspring. But that ended when the Earl died and the old knight is on a visit and plans to attend the burial (Mors held no grudge against Earl Raynald, or his family), ”And to everyone here as well”, he then looks at me, ”You, however, still have a lot to learn”
Sir Robert the Marshal came to my defense, ”He has trained many days a week and by many knights, including my friend Godfrey of Longdale, since he was a little boy and he's currently one of the best swordsmen in the royal training courtyard...”
”But he has not seen war, or tasted battle”, Sir Mors interrupted.
”That day may come or not", I told him, "But I have heard plenty of stories about you, sir Mors Westford”
”Like what?”
”Like the legendary battles you and Sir Alester Sarwyck fought, before my father King Edward returned from Narnia, and that you and Alester were known as 'the Double-edged Sword', unpredictable yet deadly”, he looks a bit impressed that I knew that much, ”And also a little about how you earned the name ”the Butcher”, facing the savage Draconians of Aeryn”
”The Draconians, eh? Just what do you think you know about them?”, Sir Mors asked.
”From what i have read from books in the royal library, is that they are ferocious half-Dragons who are not to be underestimated. And they sometimes come to our shores steal food, gold and occasionally women, like the Norse”
”And you're correct. They are descendants of the ancient Dragons that ruled the isles before the First Age. They usually fight amongst themselves, but when they are too hungry or when their balls are too full, you can only imagined what they'll do”, he told me.
”Scum doing everything to survive. If only we could invade that cursed place and put an end to all that”, I said.
”But, as they are half-Humans, they are just like any other men, which is why they are such a threat”, he steps forward until he’s right in front of me, ”And I very much doubt you would survive a minute of battle against them”
I made a looped smile and said, ”Why don't we find out?”, he raised an eyebrow, ”Just you and me”
For awhile we swung our practice-swords at each other, with Sir Mors trying to attack me with all the strength he got. We both ended up tired making it a tie, and he cracked a smile and laughed, to the surprise of our crowd of spectators, ”You might survive a battle long enough” he said and in response, I joined in the laughter.
After laughing for a while, I noticed that the sun is setting down and decided to retire to my guest chamber.
The burial is tomorrow after all.
Once I got in and closed the door, I once again found Geecku (who also accompanied me on the journey) on my bed. Since I'm tired of all the sword practice, I decided to let her do want she want with me. Which she didn't mind.
I took my clothes off, laid back on the bed and she went on top of me and my shaft went swiftly inside her. Her hips went up and down repeatedly and leaned forward to let me suck on her large, delicious breasts. Her deliciously magical milk.
We both came together a few times before we were finished. I fell asleep right away...Footnotes
Based on Godfrey of Ibelin from "Kingdom of Heaven"
Draconian name for tribe or clan   indicates the next chapter needs to be written. |
| Members who added to this interactive story also contributed to these: |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
More by this author