Dubhaine Family/Ciarghuala/Roleplays/1018/November
1st November
Winter Evening -- Poryatu
Ansil Luitolf
As soon as he was done speaking with the house attendants and his personal scrivener, Ansil went to his room and quickly changed out of his traveling clothes and armor. Ansil was rarely home enough to have servants meant to dress him, and usually dismissed them when they tried anyway. He went and pulled out a blue woolen tunic, belted it at the waist over some woolen pants to match, and completed it with a dark cloak fastened with a brooch that depicted his family shield. After this, he ensured that his arms and armor were being polished and sharpened, and went to the study to go over the happenings while he was away.
There didn't seem to be much that happened in his absence, not that he expected much. Some monsters here and there that were quickly killed and delivered to the butcher for processing into meat as instructed. It seemed nothing major had happened, and he was glad to have been kept busy marshaling. Just as Ansil was starting to doze off, the herald entered.
"Sir Ansil, your guest, Dame Alya and Countess Tyra Adrasta have arrived." He said in a very formal voice. Dame Alya. Who is Dame Alya? Ansil thought to himself. I guess it doesn't matter, we have plenty to go around.
"Very well. See them to the dining area. Korinna had Edelyn dressed in her little white dress and red ribbon ages ago waiting, and I will head straight there to greet them as they enter as well. Besides, dinner should be served for use before to long." Ansil ordered, then turned and spoke again, "Also, you know I usually don't care for the stuff, but ensure the good wine is out and available along with the water and ale. We wouldn't want to disappoint titled nobility no, would we? I'm already going to feed her monster meat."
2nd November
Winter Day -- Poryatu
Veronica Gardarr
Ciarin Tut
It had been a few weeks since Ciarin Tut was cleared of the Monsters roaming the country side. After the fall of her makeshift encampment and fortifications and her near death experience at the hands of the foul beast, Veronica had lost something.
Innocence.
For once she was naive in her believes but now she knew better, those that tried to warn her where right to do so. This land was invested with foul creatures that needed to be put down at any cost.
With the Winter cold tugging at her, shivering she pulled her cloak tight, she was standing at the toll bridge between Ciarin Tut and Garuck Udor helping some officials in collecting tariffs and inspecting goods for contraband.
With her presence and that of her soldiers providing security, the toll bridge was in peak operation, resulting in faster flow of goods and people eager to return home after the violence.
She noticed Mikael as he made his way closer, he was being accompanied by a messenger. Mikael instructed him to wait a few feet away as he approached her. “Milady, a messenger wearing the crest of the Countess Kaguya Fujiwara” Veronica studied the messenger before saying “You may approach” Mikael stepped to her side an arm’s length away; she studied him with some annoyance but did not call him out.
“Dame Gardarr, I bare a letter from the Countess Kaguya Fujiwara” bowing slightly he offered her the letter.
Veronica took the letter and carefully opening it she started reading. “The Countess is too kind. Mikael, I believe we have done what we could at the bridge, we will be heading to the Countess Estate on her invitation. Strike camp and inform the officials we will be departing for Nishi Sagarifuji-dono.“
“Yes Milady” Veronica noticed he was still lingering and his eyes never left the messenger as he spoke to her. Tapping the letter on her lips she spoke to the messenger. “You will of course take my reply to the Countess”
“So I was instructed to do if it was required Dame Gardarr” he replied. “Very well then I will pen a reply, you will have it within the hour, until then get yourself a hot meal, you are dismissed”
Veronica’s eyes followed Mikael as he escorted the messenger, with a sigh she pulled her cloak tight around her and stared at the distant ships on the horizon.
Emyhr le Craint
With a creak of the floorboards, the sound of small feet rushing through the hallway, Emyhr pushed through the heavy and rotting oak door of his new home. The manor had been left empty and mismanaged for quite some time, the locals that Emyhr has spoke to all said the same thing.
"That place is dangerous, none go near that place no more. Some say you hear noises from deep within."
Of course, none of this mattered to Emyhr. His desire for a new home would not be stopped by some petty rumours. As the door swung open, the stale air brushed past Emyhr forcing him to hold his hand to his nose. The stench of rotting wood and animal faeces was greater than expected. He reached for his back pocket and produced a handkerchief, wrapping it around his mouth and nose, he continued in. With each step came another loud creak and the rushing of feet as rats scurried across the floor. The further he stepped away from the door, the darker it got. Before long, he could see nothing but a few feet in front of him. Reaching out, he carefully continued down the hallway, clinging to the wall as paint began to crumble from the wall with every passing of his hands.
He entered into a large hall, small cracks in the boarded up windows allowed for light to pierce through. In a corner, a pile of tables and chairs had been hastily moved almost as if they have been blown back across the room by a great force. Emyhr walked up and studied the tables and chairs, gently caressing each table leg and chair leg before snapping off the sturdiness piece with a quick motion. Finding a scrap of fabric he wrapped it around the table leg and doused it in alcohol from his flask, finally lighting it. Illuminating the room, Emyhr could get a better look at the hall. It was a mess. sprays of dried blood adorned the floor and walls, a small pile of bones that had been picked clean by the rats had been assembled into a horrifying looking nest.
Shrugging this off, Emyhr continued down the hallway. With the light, he could see that the mess continued down the hall way. Signs of struggles and fighting were a common sight in the west but this was particularly gruesome. As he continued, he noticed that the trails of blood seemingly stopped in front of a blank wall. Pressing himself against it, apart from peeling paint and crumbling walls, he could feel a slight breeze coming from underneath. With a quick motion, Emyhr kicked at this patch in the wall, with little effort the crumbling wall collapsed revealing a hidden tunnel and the continuation of blood. Carefully continuing, he stepped into the tunnel. It was only a short tunnel but as the air was thick and still, the smell of the crumbling house was replaced by a strange mix of smells... Red Wine... Ale.... Blood..., Not something Emyhr had smelt before, carefully he continued.
The tunnel opened into a large basement complex, barrels lining the walls untouched compared to the rest of the manor. The smell of the wine, ale and blood was stronger than before. As he stepped further and further, the complex continued deeper and deeper into the ground. Once again, he came to a dead end. Taking initiative, he proceeded to kick the stone wall again. This time however there was no movement, only a throbbing pain in his leg, then the silence was broken by movement, then a large clash of stone against the floor as Emyhr caught sight of a troll breaking through some of the barrels as it began to charge towards him. Drawing his morning star, Emyhr rushed into a comfortable position before realising that he was not wearing his armour. He let out a large sigh and began to rush between the gaps in the barrels, the freedom of movement would be his advantage and his bane.
Rounding a corner, he came to a large open area. Adjusting the grip on his morning star, he waited. Before long, the low growl of the troll greeted the knight as the troll moved towards him. Without a second thought, Emyhr rushed forward, swinging his morning star. The beast let out a large yelp as it collided with the side of his head. But it still stood strong, now only more enraged. It reached out, grabbing Emyhr and throwing him across the room into a pile of barrels, a splatter of wine sprayed across the room and onto Emyhr. He smiled and stood up, once again rushing the beast. This time however, he ducked beneath the swing of its large arms sliding through its stubby legs across the stone floor. Leaping up onto its back and bringing the morning star down on his head once again. With a loud crack, the beast fell to the ground.
Wiping the sweat off his forehead, he began to drag the beast along through the tunnels, placing a large barrel into the folds of the trolls thick hide. He thought to himself.
"Im gonna need a drink after this." Smiling he continued up the stairs.
November 6th
Spring Evening -- Poryatu
Luarin Bowker
The last block was in the place for the new wall in Shinnen.
Luarin ordered to put her name on it, but she was not sure iff this was a good idea. Luria was not a empire anymore but four small realms struggling to survive the attacks of monsters and undeads that insist and get out of their graves.
Aldrakar was missing, presumed dead. Cador's men were in Shinnen for a few days but she could not see him even when she asked for a personal meeting. Excuses an excuses were given by his men so she was afraid he was already dead.
"What will happen to Luria" she whispered to herself before going outside to try to talk to Cador one more time.
Alessio de Medici
Alessio and his eldest son, Luca, faced one another in the courtyard, the adolescent equipped with gladius and tower shield, Alessio holding just a sword.
"My son, keep your shield high, it will save your life. I cannot say I'm the best fighter, but I at least know something." with which he swung at the shield twice, knocking the boy back, though he did not fall. Instead, he used his size to charge into the grown man with his shield, swinging down the practice sword towards his neck, hitting the stone ground inches away. Even the servants passing the courtyard had slowed their duties to watch the thirteen year old boy beat a mean nearly a score and a half in a duel.
After the moment had passed and the workers had returned to their duties - which was only perhaps five or ten seconds - Luca threw the shield to the ground and extended an arm to his father, smiling. While not initially mutual, the man broke out into laughter, not even reaching for the hand. It was nothing short of hysteric cackling. Before long, he did indeed reach for the hand, getting off of the ground.
"My son, the day this day is both proud and embarrassing. The day that my son can beat me in a fight. It is settled, in three years you are going abroad as have my brothers and cousins. You will arrive for your sixteenth birthday, I do not doubt. I will have our dear Sevastian and Imperial Marshal Guide across the Euschean groom you to be the finest general that has come out of Luria. One day, you will return to take my place. Where you will go, I cannot say - but I am certain that you will do me proud. Prouder than you have just now. "
Bewildered, the boy - perhaps he was truly more man now - looked to his father. He had thought that his place would always be at his side, never in a foreign land. He mustered some words to reply, "Truly, father? I had not thought this would ever come to be. Are you so sure? If you do become Dux, or Emperor, will you not need me?"
Alessio smiled, placing his hands upon his son's shoulders. "I will and I already do. You will learn whatever I can teach you before you leave. No doubt I can teach you no more when it comes to combat. In either of those events, you will be my eyes and ears in those lands, a representative not just of the House of Medici, but of the Lurian Empire. You will learn far more, forge a dynasty far wider, out there than in here."
The two met in a familial hug, before stepping back. "Now let us get to work."
