Richter
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Post by Richter on Dec 5, 2015 2:37:02 GMT -6
The lack of guards caught his attention as well, and on occasion he'd crane his head to try and look for them. None seemed to be in their area.
"They usually respond pretty fast, being on the border. If we aren't seeing them yet, with this kind of damage, it means this is no raid. It's a full-scale attack." Victor told him through gritted teeth, the man looked rightfully furious.
Despite his anger he followed where Arawan was looking when the other man's head snapped to attention, his own gaze shifting over to the next batch of raiders that were headed their way. His scowl turned into a bitter sneer. He told his companion that "We should press the attack, they're clearly not expecting resistance. And all the fire we draw, will buy the guards more time to arrive, and the civilians more time to flee."
The thunder of hooves coming their way started to get deafening, the clacking of horseshoes on stone enough to make the heart grow frantic for someone not used to facing it down. Fortunately, the two of them were. "But first, we kill these fools! Yah!"
Victor's tactical assessment ended with him spurring his mount into a countercharge, the both of them plowing ahead towards the oncoming riders. One of them lined himself up with the Tzympenos and reared back with his saber, him doing the same with his mace as they prepared to pass and strike one another. At the last possible moment, the prince drew his pistol again and shot the opponent's horse in the head. It collapsed, and the corpse carried its rider down onto the road with it, where Victor's steed trampled him on the way by. He veered to the right, bringing him up next to another raider and smashing his weapon into the man's side with with jarring force; an easy feat, the dispatching of his ally and subsequent exposure from the flank having caught him by surprise. This one, too, fell from his horse. Evidently he was still alive if the screaming was any indication, probably from a few broken ribs; lucky for him the man who broke them couldn't wheel around to trample him as well, the horse's trajectory and momentum carried him diagonally towards the sidewalk instead. He laughed exuberantly at the damage he had inflicted, relishing in the heat of the fight.
"Haha! You made the worst mistake of your lives coming here, boys! Pray to your god for death, because he won't be able to save you from me if you're caught!" The prince bellowed in challenge to any enemies in earshot.
This left two for Arawn to deal with as well.
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Post by Pitman on Dec 5, 2015 3:03:20 GMT -6
The two enemies left to Arawn charged towards him and he readied his lance with one hand well the other hand on the reins. He moved his horse into a gallop as they charged, the first thing he did was instead of stabbing them like they expected he throw the lance like a javelin then took out the knife with his other hand to fight the other knight who was using a sword and not a lance like the other man. The Lance pierced into the man which surprised the other. During this Arawn was quickly to strike with his dagger which the man didn't expect. But due to the force of the horses clash the man was not only winded but fell from his horse. Looking around Arawn soon heard a horn not from which meant only one thing.
"Looks like the guards finally coming here.", Arawn soon shouted to Victor.
But if planned suddenly Gristo's knights began to fall back suddenly in retreat which meant whatever objective they had they had succeeded in it. Suddenly many guards came charging in some giving chase to the mounted knights well others surrounded Arawn suddenly all aiming their spears at him.
"Hold it hold it!! Friendly not enemy!", Arawn soon stated as he raised his hands suddenly as the guards looked extremely pissed ready to stab him to death.
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"Aye.", the Steward finished as Duke Byrius soon internally smirked.
"So be it is unanimous, The Conclave of Bishops recognize Duke Byrius is fit vessel and chosen by heaven!! Let it be stated on record for all, that Duke Byrius is here now Recognized as the head of the church. As well the one true King!! Let the coronation be announced, spread the word to all within Selardia!! That a New King has Risen!!", The Elder Bishops soon shouted.
Duke Byrius was escorted out and was sent to a balcony to wait, well the Church of Babel called for all witnesses of common man and other for a announcement. Representatives of various lords who were in the area were also invited for the special announcement.
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Richter
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Post by Richter on Dec 5, 2015 3:24:05 GMT -6
The coming of the guards also meant that the rest of the attackers had to be on their way out, and several of them were unfortunate enough to wind up taking the route Arawn and Victor were watching as they tried to flee back into friendly lands. Although moving too fast to chase down, the prince did manage to shoot the horse out from another to stall his escape. The trooper tried to continue on foot, but the guards caught up with him faster. Curious that he hadn't had to reload once this entire time, yet anyway.
He brought his mount into a trot and used its bulk to break up the formation of men surrounding his ally, similarly using its height to draw attention to him. Important for his plan to defuse the situation, since it involved raising a hand to display the signet ring on his second-to-last finger, which of course would identify his allegiance to the same Duke as them. And also identify him as someone they probably wouldn't want to annoying.
"Hold! I am Victor Tzympenos. This man has helped to protect your lands this day, I will vouch for him in this matter. Kindly don't harass him."
Looks like the knight's luck had finally started to look up.
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A knock at Lamarck's chamber doors roused him from a meeting he was currently engaged in, more preparations for the war. He answered the door himself, which didn't surprise the person who had come to deliver the message. Indeed, it was the duke was surprised - the visitor was from the church.
"Duke Lamarck, my apologies if I caught you at an inopportune moment." The messenger said, bowing low. His robes flowed around his body, the usual ceremonial garb of the priests.
"No not at all. Tell me, what can I do for you?"
"I bring a message from the Bishops. Please." He produced a scroll from his sleeve and handed it over to the noble. Lamarck took, unrolled, and read it in short order.
"An announcement, what for?"
"Not my place to say, my lord. Please forgive me."
"Very well. I'll see what I can do. Thank you for bringing this to me."
"You're welcome, God protect." The messenger said, bowing again as he stepped back, and then departed the duke's home.
Lamarck stood in the door and watched him go, pondering what the event in question was going to be about. He eventually concluded it was probably a neutrality agreement, as per the treaty. With no heir to House Luna, and both the dukes' claims just as legitimate, they couldn't take a side in good faith. It'd undermine the foundation of their beliefs. Nodding to himself, he went back into his chambers to discuss the change of plans with the men he was speaking with. After all, everyone was invited.
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Post by Pitman on Dec 5, 2015 4:32:36 GMT -6
"Prince Tzympenos... thanks.", Arawn soon stated as he dismounted from the horse with a sigh.
He of course had to look like he was respecting Victor for sole fact he was in commoners clothing and not to mention being undercover here its best the guards think he is a simple commoner who helped in the fight.
Regardless looking around he saw the damage done, not on property but specifically on the mind set. The savagery, it was not only dishonorable and a disgrace to all those who follow theway of the Noblesse Oblige.
"This... this is not something I wanted.", Arawn soon admitted as he saw before him as his own fists were clenched into a fist.
"Victor, before you go off and kill the Count... I will handle this you have my word.", Arawn soon turned to Victor with determination.
Even if on different sides Arawn was not a man of dishonor, no he like his father was a man on his word. The difference, would in the future would reveal what kind of man Arawn would be known for with a simple nickname, "The Blue Demon of Selardia".
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Various nobles, representatives of them for ones unable to come and of course the common man who gathered up in front of the great building that the Conclave itself used for announcements. Before the mass crowds of people suddenly a large ring of a bell could be heard as the three Elder Bishops came to the top of the great balcony to the view of all. The crowds cheer who were most devote well some prayed. Regardless those in the audience would think what kind of announcement would be made.
Margrave Uthyr was with Marshal Rido during this looking above but at the same time he felt out of place. After all he hated coming here with a passion and if it wasn't for the persistence of one of Duke Byrius' Stewards that he MUST show made him more agitated.
"Calm down My Lord, I know you dislike this place and avoid this at all costs. But we must stay during this even if its this once.", Rido soon stated to the man before him.
Uthyr turned to the older man and chuckled, its been a long time since he saw Rido worry about him so. Not since his time as a child when back then Rido was the Master of Arms of the March of Clarice underh is father Margrave Aurelys Clarice.
"Do not fret, I am going to be a nice child Rido.", Uthyr soon joked at his own Marshal's worries.
Suddenly the large Bell sounded once more which mean the Elder Bishops were ready to address the crowd. Everyone in the area soon began to become more silent awaiting what was the reason for this gathering.
"We live in an era without heaven. Our Heaven had ascended back to his realm, King Arawn II Luna was the last of his line of vessels.", the First Elder Spoke.
"Now the darkness is embraced by all in the land, destroying the very light that we all seen within our people. Oh men of Selardia, who cry out in sorrow of this plight!!", the Second Elder soon added.
"In these dark times it is only that the belief in justice, honor, and dignity that holds man together. Man births corruption without guidance and embraces sin.", the Third Elder shouted to the crowd.
Of course the words they speak was in the very pages of a time when darkness enveloped the land. The Age of Heresy a time that predated even the founding the Kingdom, when man was lost and given up all hope but a few exception of the Great Knights of old.
"In these dark times there appeared a savior for all!! He who accepts hosts thus became flesh. In Flesh that only serves as a vessel for the Divine Spirit which guides and protects his Sheep. Giving rise to a great City that gave birth to another!!", the Second Elder stated.
"So the reign of the last line of vessels ended, now we stand a new era of the unknown.", the Third Elder added.
Which of course if one could think meant that with the end of the current Royal Line. Two candidates lines have appeared, one could deduce it meaning that the Church would stay neutral or is it?
"Alas the new era is that of not of the unknown!! A Savior has appeared!! Oh Sheep thou Divine Spirit has found a new Host and continue the line of harmony to all Selardia!!", the First Elder proclaimed.
That alone made Uthyr suddenly stop on what he think he just heard. That meant.. it only meant one thing and something not even he foreseen.
"Don't tell me... Duke Byrius you...", Margrave Uthyr stated from his spot.
"We the Three Elder Bishops represents of the Three signs of the Church of Babel!! We recognize a new Savior and He who as ascended shall be proclaimed King!! Now witness to his glory!!", the Three said in unison.
Suddenly Duke Byrius now no longer in his usual attire now wore the traditional robes that the Crown Prince would normally wear before their own ascension into Godhood. First Silence.... then one by one applause. The Most devote went to their knees well some would be flabbergasted on who was before him. The Church has made its choice... instead of neutrality like many wished they decided to join Duke Byrius faction. To make the situation more dire, they speed up the process to allow Duke Byrius to become King... before Duke Lamarck would give a counter.
Duke Byrius raised his hands above which he soon shouts, "I am the Will of Heaven!! To all before me the age of a New Kingdom Shall begin!! Submit to the Will of Heaven or Feel the Wrath of Heaven!!"
With a great shout one by one the common man in the audience soon began to shout Duke Byrius Name of Fernand but not as Duke... no. As the Head of the Church as Pope but also as King of Selardia.
"King Fernand!! Long Live Heaven shall he reign!!"
In records of the War of the Wyverns, unknown to all dire consequences occurred on this day. Now the war has truly begun.
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Richter
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Post by Richter on Dec 5, 2015 5:07:19 GMT -6
Victor nodded to assure Arawn that he was welcome for his support, it was the least he could do. Here was a man who respected force of arms, and he had raised his on the same side despite the political differences. It warranted respect, if nothing else.
He dismounted his own horse and handed it off to one of the guards, telling them that they could keep it, they had earned it more than he did, being it was their lands that were attacked. He moved to stand beside Uthyr's son, surveying the damage done.
"This is the face of war, one side of it, anyway. And it shouldn't have shown itself, this violates the treaty mere hours after it had been signed. Such blatant disregard for everything the kingdom stands for...there will be blood." He said, glancing sideways at the man beside him when he made his request. "Will you, now? And what of your father, and his liege? It is them who will handle this."
He looked away, and there was silence between them. Eventually, he picked that line of conversation back up. "I will be watching. I heard your father was a decent man. You have proven yourself to be, so far. We'll see if he is, as well." In other words he was trusting Arawn to see this task through to completion, if he truly thought he had the mettle to handle it.
'Let that side fight each other, if it's so eager.' It was a line of thought that his father would approve of, and the younger Tzympenos wasn't sure what to think of that. He did hope that Arawn and his father would see this through regardless. A crime like this demanded redress, lest it become the norm.
"If you'll excuse me, I have some matters to attend to, now."
Turning back to one of the guards, he started barking out orders, pointing at several idle soldiers that were nearby. "You! Go to your armory and get me your spears. You and you, start hunting survivors and bring any from the Byrius's peerage to me. You in the back, see to the dead. And someone, go and get your damn count here already!"
Even though these men weren't strictly beholden to him, the fire and force by which he gave commands enticed them to do as was said. More directions followed as he whipped the militia into shape, evidently their captain was wounded, dead, or busy somewhere else.
Once satisfied with their handle on the situation, he walked over to the man whose ribs he had clipped just before the retreat. The person in question was trying to crawl away. Victor kicked him in the flank, which made him cry out in pain, before rolling him over with a foot. The prince dropped onto his chest thereafter, pinning his hands down with his knees so that his hands were free. They immediately dug into the flesh of raider's face, nails digging red furrows into his cheeks as they were drug downwards towards the neck, oozing blood.
"Guess what, buddy. You're the lucky one who gets to survive today's little ordeal! Oh, but we are going to have some fun first!" Victor informed him, equal parts furious and gleeful.
Somehow the man managed to compose himself enough to spit in Victor's eye, which made him laugh heartily. Before bending down to bite his nose off his face, spitting it back at him after chewing it for a few moments. The screams were of a pitch high enough that it felt like it could make glass shatter.
It was very apparent now why people feared this family. Calm looking on the surface, there was clearly much below that went unseen. Considering everyone else left was probably going to end up on a pike, it was hard to tell who the lucky ones here were.
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Lamarck's stomach started to feel heavy when the procession got underway, something wasn't right here. He looked around the area and noticed that Byrius's people looked way too content, whereas his own were as nervous as he was. That could only mean...
"Shit." Alan said, turning the heads of the men closest to him as he stared upwards at the balcony.
It took everything he had not to scream in fury when the elder bishops made their announcement, allowing his foe to stride out before the crowds in the robes of the king, daring to sully the position of the crown and the church merely by putting them on. But it was worse, he had somehow managed to talk the bishops themselves into supporting him for the next king and vessel of Babel. Illegally! It defied everything the scriptures stood for. It caught Lamarck so far off guard that he was swaying as he stared in disbelief, skin ashen and heart racing. He might well have fallen if his chancellor beside him hadn't clasped his arm and squeezed, the pressure bringing him back to the moment.
"I cannot believe it." He spat, keeping his voice down so only those around him, namely his backers, could hear it.
"Neither can I." One noble said.
"Nor I." His chancellor added.
"It's...this is the heresy! The church has a duty to remain neutral until the conflict is restored, the king is the vessel of God's grace, the vessel is not the king himself! It's flat backwards." He continued, rambling incredulously. It changed everything. It made the corruption so self evident.
Applause and cheers began to rise up from the crowds around them, and he stared with disbelief that so many people would buy this sham...
And in doing so, he found his salvation. Not everyone was happy. His own side weren't, but that went without saying. Some of the lesser members of the church, quite a few commoners, no, some other people could tell that this was a farce. At best. A sacrilege at worst.
"Chancellor Bernez, we're going home. I need time to think. Get everyone else out of here too. Quietly." Was ordered of the chancellor, whom nodded. An old man with a long, well trimmed grey beard, Bernez had served his father all of his life and continued to assist the Lamarck line through him. He was a good man. Almost as an afterthought he blurted out. "And call another meeting of my supporters. This...changes things."
Slowly as to not be noticed, those who didn't support this sham of a coronation. Things had changed. And they were never be the same again.
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Rabite
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Emperor of H
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Post by Rabite on Dec 6, 2015 3:56:58 GMT -6
Lamarck and his followers were not the only ones that were unhappy at the events, James and others nobles that had taken a neutral stance could not accept this result either. They wouldn't care if Duke Byrius managed to defeat Duke Lamarck to obtain his position, but Byrius had in a way cheated the system and obtained his title with unrighteous means, how can any of the nobles in the Kingdom be comfortable being under an unrighteous man such as him? It was also an insult to them all, as if branding the other nobles as his servants, when they never sworn loyalty to Duke Byrius. It was King Selardia that they accepted as their leader, not Duke Byrius, who tries to force his makeshift authority on them.
Not only that, by choosing to take a high stance towards the rest of the Kingdom and use such reckless ploys, it shows that Duke Byrius is more interested in obtaining power than trying to maintain peace. The actions of some of his follows also did not helped with his cause, nothing has been done towards them for their earlier insult either, showing that the Duke himself might accept or even share a similar value.
This is no King, simply a fool that decides the title would grant him powers unchallenged, but Selardia had never been an absolute monarchy in the first place. Having the title of the King will not have any binding powers when much of the kingdom refuses your rules, and that crack in the relationship caused by such underhand ploy will certain not help with the situation of the Kingdom.
But James did not voice his concerns, at least for a short term until Duke Lamarck makes his response there would be no conflict, it would better to not accelerate this happening any sooner than it already will be. Instead he follows Duke Lamarck's example, and quietly exit... along with a large number of his followers that decides to stand by their leader on his decision. Of course not all of them had decide to do so, some has accepted the new King as their liege, believing that having a King would be better than nothing. Others that otherwise supported Duke Byrius from the start, stepped away with disappointment from the underhand ploy, and decides to take the side of Duke Lamarck or Prince-Archbishop Gransela. Such shuffles in the noble supports could bring fortune or disasters to all three sides, but for now all it does is create more chaos for the leaders to deal with.
Behind the scene of all this, there are groups of people from all sides - the three main party and others, that have gathered for planning and action of their own without consent from their liege. Some are religious zealots that wishes to rid the sources of problems for their leaders, while others are supporters of their lieges that hopes to gain further influence on the Kingdom. Only time will tell what might these groups do, and the result of their actions.
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Several days later, local influential leaders around Selardia receives letters from several of such groups, informing them of the situation and the decision of the neutral nobles to refuse the false rulership of Duke Byrius. Through these letters the decision are revealed to the large number of peasants in the kingdom, and has created some rumors and small talks about Duke Byrius' unrighteous ways of obtaining the throne. The rumors spreads fast and out of control, so it is difficult to pinpoint the source of the rumors, but it's quite sure whoever started these rumors are hostile to the former Duke's faction.
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