The Death Knight's Squire (Finished!)

[dae mec]

She sees red bleed through her pouch, and she thinks for a second that it's her injury opening up again. She realizes that it's the berries—the ones with healing properties. Sylrila grabs a handful and shoves it in her mouth, not caring how savage it makes her look. She's already a wreck: covered in injuries, all in disarray. Then, she jumps to the side, closer to the brazier, to dodge the attack.

 

[GinkyGotBack]

The Death Knight swings down as you jump aside, just barely missing you by an inch. Yanking his sword out from the stone floor, he turns to you and flowers. "So you choose death. You'll die braver than most." The Death Knight begins to approach you once more, blade at the ready.

 

[dae mec]

Sylrila says nothing at first. She stabs forward, deflecting off his sword and connecting. It's a glancing blow, but it's something. "What happened to the children before him?" she asks, raising her shield again.

She knows her death is likely. She wants to tell Darek to run, but to the left is the room with the blades. She doesn't like his chances, either. Her heart is heavy. If only, if only... but missed opportunities won't do anything now.

 

[GinkyGotBack]

The Death Knight lets out a dusty rasp of breath as your blade severs his left arm, leaving him with just his sword arm. He grinds his teeth and stares into your eyes, unsure how he should be feeling at this moment. "They were unworthy." he spits out, gripping his blade tightly. Charging forward, the Death Knight reels his arm back and slashes at you once more with his mighty, obsidian blade, cutting through the armor on your armor.

Take 6 Slashing damage.

 

[dae mec]

Sylrila straightens. His tale is tragic, but his actions are unforgivable, and she won't let this tragedy continue. Her face and hands run red with blood. Her head spins. She's never been closer to death, but she's never been more certain. Though her breath comes in short gasps, her arms are steady, and her sword is raised high.

"I..." she begins, "am Sylrila of Grensville. I am a Paladin of Tyr. And I swear upon his name and all others, those children will have their vengeance!"

Light flashes behind her eyes, and her sword shines. She is a vessel of justice.

She is a vessel of vengeance.

I accept your oath, murmurs a voice, harsh and roaring like sun.

Sylrila strikes down and cleaves the Death Knight's head from his body in a halo of burning light.

 

[GinkyGotBack]

The head falls to the ground along with his body, rolling over towards Darek Brewmont who kicks it away while still sprawled on the floor. The head skips like a rock over water to the foot of his throne, where it looks at you and mouths its 'final' words. "You have not won. I will return and I will kill you and everyone you have ever loved. I will have... my... vengeance..."

The Death Knight is slain. You stand there over the undead, decapitated corpse, twice dead now, perhaps more, catching your breath and taking in all that has happened in the last two days. Meeting the Brewmont's, talking with the Captain of the Guard, learning the story of the Death Knight from the 'Old Cock', visiting the monastery of Amaunator, finding the red tree, and finally! Slaying the Death Knight himself.

"Do you have the stake?" Darek Brewmont cries. "From the Red Tree, do you have a stake? You must pierce him through the heart, quickly!"

 

[dae mec]

Clarity cuts through her premature relief. "I do," she rasps. (What caused her the whim to grab one? Coincidence? Luck? Blessings? In the end, what's the difference?) Sylrila pulls the branch from her pack, feeling its holy energy radiating through her, giving her temporary relief from the aches and wounds that plague her. She doesn't linger—she stabs straight down through the Death Knight's heart.

 

[GinkyGotBack]

Smashing your makeshift stake through the Death Knight's heart with all the force you can muster, it takes you three blows before the rickety corpse crumbles into ashes. There is the faintest of sighs, and then all falls still. Quickly you move over to Darek Brewmont and grab him by the arm, pulling him to his feet. Both of you run from the chamber, even in your weakened state, the adrenaline from your glorious victory wills you to stand and move. You leave the crypt and the cemetery behind.

You leave the Weathercote Wood as quickly as possible, dragging an exhausted Darek Brewmont behind you, as well as your own tired legs. Once you are out of the wood, wide grassland opens up before you. Accepting the gift of a horse from a farmer, you make your way back to Orlbar, arriving late that night.

When you deliver Darek Brewmont to his parents, they are beyond grateful. Lord Brewmont invites you to stay at his expense at his house in Loudwater, which you politely decline. However, you do accept the 2000 gold pieces which he withdraws from the Orlbar bank for you the following day. It seems this Lord is pretty well cashed up. You leave Orlbar a few days later, bound for Loudwater, your mind turning over all the things that you will spend your money on, and the stories you'll be able to tell about...

The Death Knight's Squire​