Fade
Newbie
The torches burned brightly, held by men in gleaming black armor adorned with a stylized white “V” and the image of an owl. A small force, no more than twenty stood outside the gates of Cosgrave Manor, within the city of the same name. Their faces stoic, their eyes burned with determination. Their leader, a man in similar armor draped in a black cloak emblazoned with a white owl entwined with a red “V” strode forward, removing a scroll from its case.
As he speaks, the words echo loudly across the manor grounds. “Lady Golda Cosgrave, you stand accused of sedition for the cowardly act of recalling your troops during a time of war. By order of the High Marshal, you are to surrender yourself to our forces at once. We give you this one chance to come peacefully. If you do not, we will storm this manor and drag your worthless carcass out ourselves. In the name of the King we will enact his justice forthwith.”
The last lines of his declaration booming throughout the grounds, he waits for a reply.
The gate slowly swings open, and two guardsmen dressed in purple and gold livery drop their weapons in a clatter on the ground. Chapter House Master Ark DeLaCroix nods at them, as the remainder of the Vigilant part to allow them passage.
The moment hangs in the air, as the Vigilant reform their ranks and wait in disciplined silence for an answer.
Eventually one comes, A servant, dressed in as a butler, his face drained of color, approaches the assembled men. He stammers on his words, clearly fearing for his life.
“L-lady C-c-cosgrave has sent me to inf-f-orm you, that she does not answer t-to you, and that she intends to take the matter up with h-his Majesty in c-court.”
The Chapter Master’s face turns to a frown, but he nods in acceptance. “Fear not friend. It was not you who called the forces back from the front, you are simply performing your duty. Please, step aside and seek shelter away from here.”
The butler did not need to be told twice, as he scurries in the direction of the guardsmen who fled.
Turning back to the house, the Chapter Master lets out a sigh. “It’s up to us then.” He mutters to himself, briefly looking down, before drawing his sword, an action mimicked by all the assembled Vigilant in one action.
“We have our answer then. In the name of the King we will see you face justice!”
A thundering warcry echoes from the men, as the sword of the Chapter Master lowers in the direction of the house. “Forward!” the Chapter Master shouts. “Find her and subdue her. If any stand in your way, they are equally guilty!”
The men surge forward across the grounds to the door, breaching it with magic.
********************************************
The fight is swift and brutal. Lady Cosgrave was found in her bedroom, on the floor, dying of poison, which was evidently swallowed of her own volition. She only drank it when it became apparent the Vigilant had the means to breach the ward upon her quarters. Vigilant healers saw to the remedy, and bound her unconscious form to take to the Capitol.
In all, six guardsmen loyal to the family were killed, and several servants were subdued. With the main forces still far to the west, the home guardsmen were severely outmatched.
Another scene such as this played out at Hargrove Keep, but the aged Lord Bentley went willingly, hoping his acquiescence would spare his family with in the walls. His wager paid off, as the Vigilant merely arrested him and returned swiftly to the capitol.
This action taken by the High Marshal has caused chaos to erupt at Court. Noblemen used to waiting their turn shout each other down, and a fistfight has even broken out in Open Court. Any who would speak out against the war effort, or His Majestey are swiftly reprimanded, and if they persist, removed forcefully from the Court chambers by royal guardsmen and Vigilant.
In shadows, people begin to speak of the “Mad King Andrew,” and whisper of vindication from a tyrant, while others seek to support the cause of defeating the undead no matter the cost.
It is clear Acarthia stands on the edge of a knife. With the war effort having suffered considerable blows and many of the old families wavering in their support, It will only take a small push to send it over the edge.
As he speaks, the words echo loudly across the manor grounds. “Lady Golda Cosgrave, you stand accused of sedition for the cowardly act of recalling your troops during a time of war. By order of the High Marshal, you are to surrender yourself to our forces at once. We give you this one chance to come peacefully. If you do not, we will storm this manor and drag your worthless carcass out ourselves. In the name of the King we will enact his justice forthwith.”
The last lines of his declaration booming throughout the grounds, he waits for a reply.
The gate slowly swings open, and two guardsmen dressed in purple and gold livery drop their weapons in a clatter on the ground. Chapter House Master Ark DeLaCroix nods at them, as the remainder of the Vigilant part to allow them passage.
The moment hangs in the air, as the Vigilant reform their ranks and wait in disciplined silence for an answer.
Eventually one comes, A servant, dressed in as a butler, his face drained of color, approaches the assembled men. He stammers on his words, clearly fearing for his life.
“L-lady C-c-cosgrave has sent me to inf-f-orm you, that she does not answer t-to you, and that she intends to take the matter up with h-his Majesty in c-court.”
The Chapter Master’s face turns to a frown, but he nods in acceptance. “Fear not friend. It was not you who called the forces back from the front, you are simply performing your duty. Please, step aside and seek shelter away from here.”
The butler did not need to be told twice, as he scurries in the direction of the guardsmen who fled.
Turning back to the house, the Chapter Master lets out a sigh. “It’s up to us then.” He mutters to himself, briefly looking down, before drawing his sword, an action mimicked by all the assembled Vigilant in one action.
“We have our answer then. In the name of the King we will see you face justice!”
A thundering warcry echoes from the men, as the sword of the Chapter Master lowers in the direction of the house. “Forward!” the Chapter Master shouts. “Find her and subdue her. If any stand in your way, they are equally guilty!”
The men surge forward across the grounds to the door, breaching it with magic.
********************************************
The fight is swift and brutal. Lady Cosgrave was found in her bedroom, on the floor, dying of poison, which was evidently swallowed of her own volition. She only drank it when it became apparent the Vigilant had the means to breach the ward upon her quarters. Vigilant healers saw to the remedy, and bound her unconscious form to take to the Capitol.
In all, six guardsmen loyal to the family were killed, and several servants were subdued. With the main forces still far to the west, the home guardsmen were severely outmatched.
Another scene such as this played out at Hargrove Keep, but the aged Lord Bentley went willingly, hoping his acquiescence would spare his family with in the walls. His wager paid off, as the Vigilant merely arrested him and returned swiftly to the capitol.
This action taken by the High Marshal has caused chaos to erupt at Court. Noblemen used to waiting their turn shout each other down, and a fistfight has even broken out in Open Court. Any who would speak out against the war effort, or His Majestey are swiftly reprimanded, and if they persist, removed forcefully from the Court chambers by royal guardsmen and Vigilant.
In shadows, people begin to speak of the “Mad King Andrew,” and whisper of vindication from a tyrant, while others seek to support the cause of defeating the undead no matter the cost.
It is clear Acarthia stands on the edge of a knife. With the war effort having suffered considerable blows and many of the old families wavering in their support, It will only take a small push to send it over the edge.
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