Ironsides Family/Raphael/A Mouse to a Lion
Army Assignment Change
Your liege Lady Deianarah McDowell, Imperial Inquisitor of C'thonia, Duchess of Azros has withdrawn you from the Scions of Shame.Your liege Lady Deianarah McDowell, Imperial Inquisitor of C'thonia, Duchess of Azros has assigned you to the army Hammer of Thor.
New Vice-Marshal Announced
The sponsor of the Hammer of Thor, Lady Deianarah McDowell, Imperial Inquisitor of C'thonia, Duchess of Azros, has announced a new vice-marshal: Raphael Ironsides (Knight of Azros).
Roleplay from Thain Himoura
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Thain sent out a letter to Raphael Ironsides.
Sir Raphael, you are to present yourself to the King with all due haste. The letter was short and simple. Thain sat back back in his chair, and looked over at the war-hammer sitting next to him. That ingrate Mal had run off with the last one. Hopefully, Thain thought, Sir Raphael would appreciate the honor of his station more than his predecessor.
Sir Thain Himoura
King of C'thonia, Marshal of the Hammer of Thor
Roleplay from Raphael Ironsides
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Resting on the balcony of his estate in the capital city, Raphael saw his messenger Luca steadily walking towards the front entrance. From the top, Raphael called down.
"Luca, what's the rush?"
The messenger answered, "Master Raphael! You've been summoned by the King, and, and you've been promoted to the Vice-Marshal position of the Hammer of Thor army!"
Raphael stopped breathing for a second. What? That position is directly under the King! he thought to himself.
"Oh my falling snow, truly?" he answered back. The messenger nodded and pulled out the announcement and the summons. Raphael immediately prepared himself to visit the King, an occasion he was very nervous about.
- - -
Entering the lobby of the King's palace, Sir Raphael was dressed his dandiest best. He was young and flashy, but soft and uncertain. Definitely still youthful. He approached a chamber maid and announced his arrival, he was not even sure the proper procedure for visiting a King. Did I arrive too late?, he thought...
Raphael Ironsides (Knight of Azros)
Letter from Raphael Ironsides
Roleplay from Thain Himoura
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
The chamber maid led Raphael into a small chamber, Thain sat to one side, buffing the scratches out of his armor. Next to him, leaning against the wall was a large war hammer, emblazoned with the symbol of Nighthelm, and the seal of Hildr. Thain looked up as they entered, and Thain stood.
"Welcome Sir Raphael. Please, come in. Sit. Have some wine if you wish." Thain said, gesturing towards a decanter. "Be at ease."
'Sir Thain Himoura
King of C'thonia, Marshal of the Hammer of Thor
Roleplay from Raphael Ironsides
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
After first bowing to the King in modest awe, Raphael refused the wine but admired the hammer.
"My King, may I first say I am blessed and, uh..." he froze for a second, "out of respect for you I arrived by your summons. May I sit?" remembering full well that the King had already asked him to sit, but stumbling over his speech.
"This is quite a lovely chamber you have, although I would recommend having a bit more variety in colour for the drapes." He said hoping to find his centre within the King's presence. He was nervous and unable to think beyond small talk, especially since he was always trained to revere kings as superiors and mighty nobles of strength and power.
He was as a mouse to a lion.
Raphael Ironsides (Knight of Azros)
Roleplay from Thain Himoura
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"Sit down then my friend." Thain said, gesturing for Raphael to sit, and waiting until he had to continue. He picked up the hammer next to him and turned it over in his hands.
"It's quite the masterpiece. Perfectly balanced, powerful and still a work of art. Qualities to look for in a warrior as well as a weapon, wouldn't you say?"
Sir Thain Himoura
King of C'thonia, Marshal of the Hammer of Thor
Roleplay from Deianarah McDowell
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
Deianarah frowned as she looked to the material in her hands. “Is this the only color they could find?” she asked sarcastically as she turned the blue silk in her hands. “What if it’s a girl?” she asked innocently, her lady in waiting seemed to pause with a long lock of Deianarah’s dark blond hair in her hands and looked up as if the question itself was blasphemy.
“The King will have an heir,” she said firmly and Dei’s eyebrow rose at the tone of her voice. Deep down she knew, how important it was for any King to have an heir, but she was only trying to be realistic. Besides, Thain would love her and the child, no matter what gender it was. This, she knew with all certainty.
“I wonder what he will be named,” her lady in waiting pondered and Deianarah frowned letting out a small sigh. “I have thought of several names…” she offered and the other woman looked up as if she was daft. “The King will be the one to name him,” at this Dei pushed the material back in her hands, forcing her to let go of the arrangement in her hair.
“You will take this and that wicked arrogance of yours, turn around and take a long walk. Mind you’ll stop when I deem you’ve walked long enough to think your behavior through, is that clear?” The other woman’s eyes widened and she clung to the silk.
There seemed a small battle of looks where the other woman knew she was in the presence of her superior and bowed. “As you wish your grace,” she answered meekly. “Oh I wish it, and more, lucky for you I’m in a light mood today, now walk.”
Dei watched her leave, with confusion in her eyes. Was she to walk around court? Deianarah didn’t care, she just wanted her out of her sight.
“Where is the King?” Dei’s light brown eyes narrowed and she asked another lady in waiting who had watched the entire exchange with wide eyes and a pale complexion. She continued working on Dei’s long locks. “He was last seen in his war room,” she offered and Dei nodded, patiently waiting for her to finish the elaborate hair style.
Leaving the room, the sound of her satin gown touching the floor dissipated and she made her way through the palace and to the room. The door was just being closed and the servant bowed in her presence. She could hear voices within and stopped the servant with a light touch. “Who is with the King?” she asked softly.
“Sir Raphael Ironsides,” he informed her and a smile reached her lips. “Oh… very good,” she grinned, she would have liked to enter but Thain’s affairs were his own. “Inform me once they are done, I would very much like to meet Sir Raphael.” The servant bowed and stayed near the door, complying with her request.
Lady Deianarah McDowell
Imperial Inquisitor of C'thonia, Duchess of Azros
Roleplay from Raphael Ironsides
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
In reply to the King, Raphael intuitively said,
"Yes, and it must have taken a great deal of time to forge such a magnificent and effective tool of death. At one time it was merely a collection of materials waiting to be sanctified. Perhaps this too is the way of the Warrior?"
Feeling a bit more comfortable in the presence of the King, Raphael was able to relax a bit and appreciate this great event of his life. He was so young and already an acquaintance of royalty.
Raphael Ironsides (Knight of Azros)
Roleplay from Thain Himoura
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
"Indeed it is. Remember that, and you'll go far." Thain said, and then set the hammer unceremoniously in Raphael's lap.
"It's yours now. Its the badge of your office. Wield it or not, I don't care. But it will displayed at the battles you participate in. As for your title, Vice Marshal is a rather underwhelming title for the position you're actually in. You will be known as First Captain Raphael Ironsides. Aside from the Warmaster and myself, you are the ranking military official, the first among my captains."
Sir Thain Himoura
King of C'thonia, Marshal of the Hammer of Thor
Roleplay from Raphael Ironsides
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
Holding the weapon in his hand, he admired it. It was unlike anything ever in his possession, and it meant something far more than he realized for it would define the rest of his life.
"My King," and as he knelt he put the hammer to his face and bowed, "I will commit my life to this sign of office, to this position of gravity and to your throne. Though I am very young and inexperienced, just as the materials for this hammer were raw, so will I be forged into the hammer of our realm. I accept the duty of First Captain and await further orders."
He stood up, thinking the appointment was complete and waiting for the King's directon.
Raphael Ironsides (Knight of Azros)
Roleplay from Thain Himoura
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
Thain grinned, and then raised his hand, and smacked Raphael hard across the face, sending him reeling, the customary acceptance of an oath in C'thonia.
"Good. And that is so you remember your vow." he said "Do me proud First Captain. Rally the army, recruit up and brace yourself. Soliferum will be here soon. Watch and learn from the Warmaster and myself. You will learn much from the Warmaster, he is an old legend, and one of the finest warriors ever to grace the island."
Sir Thain Himoura
King of C'thonia, Marshal of the Hammer of Thor
Roleplay from Raphael Ironsides
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
Clutching his swelling face, First Captain Raphael nodded and made his exit. He now had a duty to uphold and an army to wield.
He knew he was in for a long learning curve.
Raphael Ironsides (Knight of Azros)
Roleplay from Deianarah McDowell
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
“The King and Sir Raphael are now available,” the servant told her and Deianarah nodded. She hadn’t been far from the room. And when she walked down the hallway, she noticed Sir Raphael making his exit. He was only making it out of the door, when she came face to face with him. “Sir Raphael,” Deianarah greeted. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you.” At the questioning look in his eyes, she gave a small smile. “Deianarah McDowell,” she introduced herself, knowing it wasn’t necessary, but if only to make him at ease.
From behind him, she could still see Thain in the room also preparing to make his exit and she gave him a personal smile, her eyes filled with love. She returned her gaze to Raphael. “I trust your meeting went well?” she asked, noticing the hammer in his hands. “I wished to congratulate you in person.”
Lady Deianarah McDowell
Imperial Inquisitor of C'thonia, Duchess of Azros
Roleplay from Raphael Ironsides
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
Upon walking out of the King's chamber, the newly appointed First Captain is introduced to the Imperial Inquisitor, and receives the congratulations.
"My Duchess, you are so kind. Thank you kindly for your accolades, I feel as though I have suddenly been propelled into the limelight. I would not want to disappoint anyone, especially not the King or yourself. May I compliment your beauty this fine day? I hope that I am not standing in the way of your important daily affairs?" He said taking a quick look back to the King's chamber.
Holding the hammer in his hand gave him a bit more confidence to speak with such magnanimous personages, and he liked that.
Raphael Ironsides (Knight of Azros)
Roleplay from Deianarah McDowell
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
Deianarah’s cheeks blushed lightly and she gave a small nod of her head, “I thank you for your wonderful compliment.” She then grinned and light brown eyes sparkled, he was young, but so was she... She knew Thain didn’t make decisions lightly and she had the utmost confidence in his judgment. “I assure you, the pleasure is ours,” she glanced to the hammer in his hands, and secretly, smiled approvingly. “Simply remain true, vigilant, and steadfast and you will find your true home here with us...”
She then looked back as Raphael glanced in the King’s direction. “No you are not keeping me from my daily affairs, meeting you was at the top of my priorities for the day. I know we have urgent matters to attend to concerning the enemies marching at our doorstep, but if you wish it, you may visit and stay at court as long as you like.”
Lady Deianarah McDowell
Imperial Inquisitor of C'thonia, Duchess of Azros
Roleplay from Raphael Ironsides
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
"I would very much love to spend the day here, but I feel as though I should be diligent and get right to work. As First Captain, I wish to be well prepared for any assault by the enemy. To enjoy your grace today would betray my duty tomorrow."
He bowed politely. The Duchess was very kind to him, and he was pleased to have met her finally. He began to think that maybe she was worthy of a poem? He had never spoken one to a Lady before, and decided it was only right to part with her in this way. So he began,
"A mind is not set in stone, despite its desire to settle.
When your heart reaches its home, it will no longer be made of metal."
"Your words have reminded me of such a couplet..." he said embarrassed. He was unsure how the Duchess would react to his abrupt poetry.
Raphael Ironsides (Knight of Azros)
Roleplay from Deianarah McDowell
Message sent to everyone in your realm (19 recipients)
Deianarah smiled at Raphael and looked back to Thain who had come out of the room to stand with them. “It’s very beautiful.” She had personally found home in Thain…and knew their hearts had softened for one another. She hoped everyone would be as lucky as them.
“I am sorry to see you depart so quickly Sir Raphael, but the invitation will always be open,” she took Thain’s hand in hers and was about to speak when a servant approached her.
“Dame Cassidy has arrived and is waiting to speak with you,” he whispered in her ear and she gave him an awkward smile, a shadow of pain in her eyes. She didn’t know what to say to the other woman, deep down she was still hurt but a part of her couldn’t say no.
“If you will excuse me,” she said with a smile, she gave a small nod in Raphael’s direction and she leaned into Thain to whisper something in his ear and slipped away.
Only a few moments later, Deianarah walked into a small cozy room she had chosen so the two of them could speak privately, and watched as Cassidy was led into the room.
She hadn’t even sat down yet, and watched the other woman impassively. “Cassidy,” she said informally, “it’s been a while…you look well, considering.”
Lady Deianarah McDowell
Imperial Inquisitor of C'thonia, Duchess of Azros
