Fantasy Noble Age

[SAIGO-NO-HEATS]

Act 1: The Golden Age

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Lionel Degrance, Duke of Hatikhon, Master of The Burning Gates
Arriving in the Capitol

The Banners of all the great houses decorated the towers of the Royal keep, signifying that all were gathered in the capitol. It was standard procedure for any of the Fulgorim family's many storied festivals or tournaments they'd thrown since they took power. A sign of shared prosperity, and a land united. But in this moment Lionel couldn't help think it was a sign of things to come. A short list of everyone who would have claim to the throne once the day was out.
He entered the city at the head of his Lionguard, all dressed in their Blue and golds, with the banner of the red lion flying high above them, and all formed in a defensive position around the carriage carrying his family, and several carts carrying vast quantities of foreign gold. It was the same formation his people used to scare off bandits and project power along the long stretches of lonely desert back home. Not that he expected to be assaulted in the streets of the capitol, for now. In fact it seemed he was drawing a large crowd, the many smallfolk who wandered the streets and stalls had paused to watch the lion lord and his golden army as they passed. This was good, He needed to put on a good show, to let the other houses know that degrances absence from the courts for the last few years was no sign of weakness, and that they could bite back if things took a turn for the worst.
But for now the king was still alive, and he had more immediate Matters to attend to that fretting about every plot in the Kingdom.

"Master Fargrave." He turned to the commander of his guard Have half of your men escort the my family and our treasures to our estate, then gather the rest and follow me to the Tournament grounds. The other families have likely gathered there already and I'd like to not be any later than we already are.

 

[LadyOfStars]

Tenebrous Corvus ​

Like a crow flying against the night sky, or a fox hidden within the brush, Lord Tenebrous Corvus arrived to the capital unnoticed and without a show of strength or wealth. Instead the advent of the spymaster’s black carriage occurred as if he were a common merchant visiting the city with unimportant business. The small carriage in which he rode in was made of thin wood and metal to allow the four, powerful horses pulling it to travel at a greater speed. This allowed him to travel the realm and outrace many threats, if not all, threats so he traveled separately from his forces. With no banners or soldiers he was able to sneak in and conduct business with agents planted throughout the great city.

While his rivals and allies made they entrances and flashy displays, Tenebrous’ forces showed up without him. The common folk hadn’t realized he was absent from the presession, but merchant and nobles noted the lack of a leader among the men. Tenebrous didn’t care for such things. The commenters didn’t know his face so the march wasn’t for them, and his peers already knew what he was capable and incapable of in terms of military might. The small, heavy-infantry he marched to the capital was merely a formality and a distraction.

When all was said and done he was among the first nobles to arrive at the tournament grounds, seated in a chair at the far back in the shade. To his left stood the adopted heir of House Corvus, a bastard of the Zanzir lands who was a rather famed warrior. “Let us hope someone perishes today. Otherwise this trip will have been in vain.”

 

[RayPurchase]

Dontos Estley

Dontos Estley
​

Dontos surveys the countryside as his retinue make their way down the main road, peasants and merchants giving them a wide birth as they go. The sunlit open fields, dotted with farms and toiling farmers, averting their gaze from the stern lord. Whilst the halberds and armour of the troop behind him glistened in the sun, his own apparel was relatively plan, boiled leather chest plate and greaves, and a dark red cloak, the only decoration of sorts, was his house’s sigil, a closed raised fist, emblazoned on his chest, this was the only sign of their loyalties and status however, there were no banners or trumpets announcing their presence. Whilst he was on horseback with one other mounted companion, the Captain of his Guard, the rest of the party were on foot, 20 soldiers of the Hearth Guard, their halberds and armour audibly clinking as they marched in lockstep as they passed beneath the city gates, the walls casting their long shadows over the group, as they entered half of them spread out before Dontos and the Captain, creating a perimeter between them and the crowd, also amongst this were a pair of carts, filled with supplies for the journey and the resultant stay in the capital.

By the gods he hated this place, a den of mistrust. It had been some years since he had last ventured to the capital, and this visit was too soon again, if it was not for the royal summons he would not have returned, there was no way he was bringing his family here regardless. Boros was ruling in his place during his absence, to bring Arana would be brining a dove into a viper’s nest, even if she was more than capable of defending herself against these soft southern types; and Meric… he was perhaps as bad if not worse than his father, to get him to leave the Highlands would be far more hassle than it would be worth. He turned his horse, swinging himself round towards the Captain of his Guard, a great lug of a man, standing at 6 foot tall, his brown hair long and ragged, and his features equally rugged, a sign of the man’s life spent facing the elements of the Highlands that they all called home.

“I want you to take the carts and all but 4 of the men to the manse, it hasn’t been used for some time but it should be perfectly fine for our needs, I don’t expect us to be here for any more than a couple of days Captain. I want everyone on high alert though, this place may not be as obviously as dangerous as the Highlands, but we face a different kind of enemy here, one that will not so easily show its face,”

He kicks the horse into a slow trot, the 4 men designated by the Captain falling into step behind him. Already a small crowd has begun to gather and gawp at the new arrivals, a few picked out the sigil on his chest and on the chest of his men but given the lack of pomp and ceremony the crowd was still quite small. They began making their way towards the tournament grounds, a waste a time all of this, pomp and ceremony, a tourney, most likely a day of tiresome feasting with equally tiresome company, southern lords as perfumed as their wives and nothing but gossip to talk about. A week of hell, but hopefully one he could escape after just showing his face as a courtesy, a couple of days and then an imagined emergency back home should do the trick.

Entering the tournament grounds, 2 guardsmen are left outside with the horse whilst the other 2 accompany him. Stalking his way up to the gallery reserved for the nobility, it appeared near enough deserted, clearly everyone else had the wise idea of showing up later, one he wished that he had followed. In fact at this point there only appeared to be one other retinue in attendance. It was however his close neighbours to the east, close geographically at least anyway. Still standing rather stiffly, he dips his head in acknowledgement to the figure half obscured by the shade.

“Lord Corvus. I must confess I’m quite surprised by your presence here, I thought you had quite the aversion to being in the public eye, far happier in your own holdings instead of this…. place,”

 

[Blitzer]

Grand Master Fargrave Fellshield nodded slowly as his Lord ordered the division of his forces. He never liked this division, but here, they were in full force. In his own personal display of wealthy, he had mustered an extra hundred Lionsguard to match the Lionel's request of 100 Lionsguard escort and brought them around to the city. They would not enter the city, but would wait outside for further orders in case this got messy. All of the Lionsguard here however were from his own personal unit, the Golden Hawks signified on adornments on their vestments. Personally, he disliked having to take orders form this young Lord, but he would obey him for now. This period of instability didn't need any more unnecessary conflict. There would be plenty of time for that later.

The Grand Master gave a few quick orders to one of his squires who ran quickly and saw the division. He kept his horse near Lionel and asked. "What do you think is now brewing in this city? Are you ready for it? For the Lionsguard is."

The undertone was, Lionel, was he really strong enough to carry this house into true ascendancy.

 

[LadyOfStars]

Tenebrous Corvus​

As the other lords began to arrive to the tournament grounds, secrets he had discovered about them ran through his mind like a checklist. The minor lords were the most fun as unlike their major counterparts, they would squirm with panic at the discovery of their secrets. Events like these were only fun because he could watch the fruits of his labors. The major lords were less fidgety as they knew their appearance had to display strength at all times, lest they become prey. While they waited Tenebrous and his heir, Adrian, exchanged very few words and when they did it was so that Tenebrous could make a lesson out of their surroundings.


Their isolation was shattered however by the sound of a voice and their house’s name upon the lips of an encroaching figure. Still leaned back in his seat, Tenebrous turned his head and set his gaze upon Lord Dontos. “When have you known me to be so straightforward Lord Dontos .” An amused and playful smirk stretched upon his face, the guise of friendliness taking form.


“I had hoped to be attending a Korkari festival instead of this dull gathering, but when my King calls.” Tenebrous shrugged his shoulders in a dismissive manner and turned his attention away from the newly arrived Lord. He noticed that Dontos hadn’t brought family with him, a choice that spoke volumes about his personality.


Rather than engage in the conversation Adrian simply stood by and listened, and watched. Tenebrous taught him that observation was important and in such a location at such an event, there was no better time to observe.

RayPurchase

 

[Soviet Panda]

Connor sat atop his horse, adorned head to toe in armor 'befitting a Lord'. "I feel like a damn fool" he growled from atop his horse Tulip, who was a draft horse turned war horse. He was hot, he itched, and his newly sewn banner was still above him, reminding him of the distinct lack of any wind to offer some sort of relief. "Remind me again why I have to look like a great green bell, Chapter Master Bryne."

"Because otherwise you'd look like a well to do farmer and not a Lord," came the calm response for the third time that day. Bryne had decided to join Connor under the pretense of participating in the tournament, the same reason the ten other Order members gave. The real reason was to make sure Connor acted like a Lord. Lord McKinley had a habit of digging his heels in and profusely proclaiming how he wasn't a Lord and how ridiculously pointless the title was. Certainly something he shouldn't be doing at an event he was invited to by the King himself.

Their entrance into the city caused barely a ripple. Not because of the lack of fanfair, the banner and fully armored men atop armored horses was fanfair enough, but simply because no one recognized the Golden Stag of the House McKinley. There was muttering, there were cheers, but that was simply because they thought he was a foreign Lord and they wanted to see what they looked like.

When he reached the tournament arena, Connor had the relief of taking off his helmet and some shade to sit under. He was surprised to see that Bryne had chosen to accompany him rather than prepare for the tournament he had supposedly entered into. "I feel my age coming for me," was the simple response as the Chapter Master of the Order of the Maple stood at attention by his Lord. Connor had a feeling that was a load of horse droppings, but he knew how stubborn the man could get about these things.

 

[QuirkyAngel]

Elwyn Lidall​

It had been years since Elwyn last stepped foot in the Royal Archery Range. The sight of bows being drawn back. The sound of arrows whizzing through the air as young soldiers practiced to impress their superior officers. It all brought back a sense of nostalgia for the former King’s Ranger. He’d been one of them once. Granted, he hadn’t been with them for very long. A year or two and he was promoted to Captain of his very own units. Then King’s Ranger when he managed to impress the royal family with his talents. Everyone moved through the ranks at their own pace and comparing them to himself hardly seemed fair.

Still.

He didn’t remember new recruits being so bad.

A frown crossed his features as Lord Elwyn Lidall leaned back against the archway that led into the range, arms folded, and continued to silently observe. Poor form. Poor posture. He had grown so used to witnessing the high-standard bowmanship of Crescent Hallows that the display in the Capital hurt his eyes.

“You don’t look very happy, Milord.” Kenrick Bermoth, Captain of the Royal Archery Units, stepped up beside him. The man had been part of his unit once. One of the few archers not from the Hallows that had managed to impress him.

“My daughter has better form than some of your boys,”

Kenrick seemed amused. “With all due respect, Sir, your daughter has better form than most boys.”

Some were decent. He could pinpoint the few with Hallows origin just from the look of them. However, it wasn’t enough. Most seemed like beginners. Children of noble families that got their position from just money and status no doubt. “It’s not a laughing matter, Bermoth. How do you expect to defend the castle walls when some of your archers can’t even hit a still target?”

“They’ve got time to train. It’s not like we’re at war...and not every new recruit is expected to shoot a bear at 13.” A mild smirk before Kenrick turned his attention to his recruits. “But it’s true we’re getting less and less from the Hallows every year. Not a single Lidall recruit this time around. Perhaps if Lady Iva had agreed to become the King’s Ranger, it’d spurn another batch of eager young archers from the fabled forest to join the royal army. Or if you’d return. Anything’s better than your current replacement who seems more interested in seating his family members in prominent positions and consolidating his power rather than doing his job properly.”

"You'll have ask Iva about the King's Ranger business," Elwyn paused, then shook his head. “ As for me, I haven’t the time. What kind of son would I be if I neglect my family duties and left my mother in the Hallows all on her own? The only reason I'm here at the Capital at all is to attend the tournament at the king’s request. Jelena’s insisted I see it as well.”

“Not to see friends from your old unit? I’m hurt.”

Elwyn’s lips quirked. “I’ll try to visit when I can.”

“You do me a great honor, Lord Elwyn Lidall, Lord of Crescent Hallows, Protector of the Forests, and…uh…I forget the rest. Something to do with horns, I think.”

“I do so miss your snark, Bermoth. Don’t get enough of it since my father passed away. ”

“I try.” Kenrick shrugged. “The tournament's about to start, you know. If you need escorts to the tournament grounds, I’ll be happy to lend you some of my men.”

“Not necessary. I know the way. Only wanted to stop by and see for myself what’s become of the royal archery units since I’d left it.” Stepping away from the archway, Elwyn strode to where he left his horse and mounted her.

"Your assessment?"

“Subpar. But I trust you’ll be able to correct that with time.” Leading his horse into gallop, Elwyn guided the mare to where all the festivities were, weaving past pedestrians and market stalls. It was easy enough to spot. The cheers. The banners. Seemed like the king intended to make the tournament a public affair.

If Elwyn had been completely honest with Kenrick, the reason he avoided the capital had less to do with the sheer number of work he had in the Hallows and more to do with a person in the city he wanted to avoid. A long, long time ago, he’d been infatuated with a woman in the city. Smitten enough that he’d been willing to climb the ranks to grow closer to her incredibly high status. To serve her and her family. Elwyn had changed since then. His feelings towards her had dulled. However, he still didn’t know what he would do if he saw her again. He feared his heart would be swayed away from his duties should he give it the opportunity.

And he didn't want to give it the opportunity.

The very reasons for his determination sat in the gallery with the rest of the nobility, adorned in dresses, and whispering to one another. The eldest mirrored his former wife, from her silver hair to the grace and beauty which she carried herself. Coupled with intelligence and wit, no daughter could make a father prouder. The younger resembled him, both in appearance and temperament. While not entirely comfortable in the dresses her sister wore, she wore it with no less refinement. At the very least, the men she led seemed to appreciate the rare sight. Though, those that underestimated her, even in her navy gown, would likely find themselves regretting it. There was none he trusted more to shoot down his enemies and guard his back in a fight…though he would honestly rather she didn’t.

The byproduct of raising two lovely girls was not wanting to see them get hurt.

Leaving his steed outside with the stable boys, Elwyn entered the tournament grounds accompanied by the squeaky introduction of one of the heralds to the side that seemed determined check off every prominent lord or lady that passed. Head held high, he made his way to the section of the noble’s gallery where the Lidall family banner was raised. Two members of the Silver Arrows, differentiated from the rest of the Crescent Hallows militia by the hoods and silver badges they wore, stood behind the chairs, one for each of the girls. Only his chair, in the center, was left unattended. Though, he supposed that if anyone dared to attacked him, they’d have Iva Lidall, Leader of the Silver Arrows, to contend with first.

“Cutting it a little close aren’t you, Father?” Jelena inquired amusedly.

“Just paying a visit to some old friends while I’ve got the chance,” Giving a nod of greeting to any nearby nobles, Lord Elwyn Lidall took his seat and directed his gaze to the tournament grounds, prepared either be vastly entertained or vastly bored.

 

[RayPurchase]

Dontos Estley​

Dontos returns the grin with his own humourless smile. He could safely say that he had never known Corvus to be straightforward, a house of deceit and shadows, you could never really know what their intentions were or what they wanted. But it was best to try and keep positive relations with one’s neighbours, even if they were polar opposites. He makes his way to one of the chairs beside Lord Corvus, he couldn’t stand the pomp and ceremony that came with these things, such over the top regalia and customs put him on edge, at the heart of it he was a simple man. Sinking down into the chair he glances about the other seats, before turning back to Corvus. The 2 Hearth Guard take a position on either side of the chair, their Halberds resting against their shoulders, and one hand on the hilt of their dirks, ready to defend their Lord should the need arrive, one could never be too careful so far from home.



“Likewise Tenebrous. If it was up to me I would never have returned to this forsaken cess pit of a city. Of course I’m sure you know my stance, I’m pretty sure everyone does now. However the King commands and we must click our heels and follow mustn’t we…?”



He glances towards the young man stood at Tenebrous’ side, giving him a once over, his eyes running over him. He flicks his head in his direction.



“Your boy?”

LadyOfStars