OOC:
House Erim's Reply WARNING: VERY LONG (Sorry)
[ +- ] Prologue
The wolf padded wearily along the forest floor. It's coarse black fur giving it a natural camouflage amongst the shadow of the oak trees. Its recent kill a few days ago had given him sustenance for a time but now he hungers again. but not for any meat. nothing like the bare nourishment of a rabbit. a deer or an elk will fill one's belly for a long time but their flesh isn't so sweet. Unlike manflesh.
He was banished from the pack a fortnight ago when challenged and lost to the ruling Alpha. wandering for many days in the cold open, the game was scarce and the more favoured hunting grounds teeming with prey were guarded fiercely by his former packmates. the northern plateaus were no better with mountain lions patrolling their surrounding territory. Gaunt and hungry, the lone wolf finally encountered a small human dwelling.
crouching unseen amongst the dead roots of a tree, the hungry beast watched and smelled the familiar and odd scent of humans. there were two of them at that time. He remembered the Alpha telling them that man things are not to be hunted. they provide more trouble than its worth. Their fangs are hard and sharp. their bodies are covered with scales like fish but harder. and they have fire. These two don't have any of those things.
The first one looks like any ordinary human. with the exception of having two mounds on its chest. the other one was smaller, a cub from the looks of it. Man things are dangerous. don't hunt them. but he was so hungry. the cub looks so helpless. just a quick leap and he will feed. The wolf launched from the place of its hiding and leapt onto the man cub. it teared at its neck before it knew what's happened to it. he tasted warm blood and flesh that tasted sweeter than anything he had.
The other human made a noise that sounded like it was distressed. before it could alarm other man things to it he bounded up and leapt at it bowling it over and with a quick snap of his jaws he severed its neck ending the noise that came out of it. He fed well that day. That was two days ago. But now he hungers again. He will find other unguarded dens like that. he will feed again.
Just then the wolf noticed a movement at the corner of its eye. A rabbit? He raised his head and smelled the air. It smelled of wood, of trees, of decaying bogs. but why doesn't it not smell the rabbit? The wolf's fur bristled and he bared his teeth on this strange encounter. if it's a rabbit he can easily snap it in two with his jaws. again to his left the fast movement like wind moving among trees. What is it? Where is it? It didn't have to look far when he heard something fall and stand behind him.
It was man thing. or shaped like a man thing, he couldn't tell with it covered with dark furs. Why didn't he smell it? surprised and angered at being taken unawares, the wolf growled more fiercely hairs standing on end. the man thing was standing motionless, almost relaxed like a tall oak. But it was alone. he has killed man things before. he could do it again. before he can draw it's fangs he needs to act. with one fierce bark, the man eating wolf moved in a blur of fang and claws and raced towards the strange looking man. He can kill it. he is faster. he is stronger. he will feed again.
The dark-furred man thing nodded his head and three sets of loud sounds resounded from the trees to the wolf's left side: TWANG, THWUP, THWACK! The wolf was thrown suddenly to its side snarling in defiance. Pain.red.hot. It tried to get up to bite the creature that hurt it. but it stumbled again pain blossoming anew on its left leg, its rib and his left shoulder. It couldn't get up. The man thing in front of him finally moved and walked towards him. I will bite its hand off. I will kill it. I will feed again. The man drew his fang which was longer than its puny human arms. it raised it in the air with both man arms holding it. Looking at the fang the wolf likened it to the moon reflected on water. the moon fell, then everything went dark.
Vali Erim, wiped the wolf's blood from his bastard sword on the hem of his fur cloak. Wearing studded leather armor, woollen breeches, plain leather boots and gloves and with the man's face hidden by a hooded cloak, it's easy to dismiss him as just a normal woodsman. In truth, he is a nobleman having the rank of Earl rendering service under Lord Ironfist and dispensing the duties that the rank entails. He is also Lord Ranger of his and his lord's demesne in the southern forests and he is currently doing one of the duties of that title. Hunting beasts, monsters and beasts turned monsters.
He and three of his other rangers, a quad, were tracking the beast for over three days after a distraught wood cutter living at the edge of the Black Woods pleaded to him one day at his castle. The area where the woodcutter lived was seldom visited by animals docile or predator alike so his rangers and woodsman don't patrol that area as much. listening to the sad tale of the man was enough to put him into action. the woodcutter's family was close to house Erim providing much needed firewood to the house for many generations.
''Don't worry Rovann. I will find whatever this beast that did this myself and bring you its head.'' His subjects deserve the security that his house promised. and he had seen to that.
The Lord Ranger sheathed his sword away and whistled a warbling tune from his lips. at the same instant, three men appeared as if from nowhere wearing almost the same attire as Erim. two of them have a longbow out with the third cradling a crossbow in his arm. One of them pulled the top of his hooded cloak. It was man in his middle years with salt and pepper hair cut in a close crop. he has thick eyebrows set in a perpetual frown and tight lip almost hidden in a greying beard. his eyes are blue-grey and with an intense cast to it. All that framed on a face that one might thought would be chiselled on granite.
First Ranger Torgen Hafnir had a sour look again. '
'If I might be so bold m'lord but letting you become bait against a rampaging man eating beast is one the most foolish ideas that you have ever come up with!''
''Well it was my idea anyway Torgen. are you saying your lord is foolish? are you saying that I don't plan every move that I take?''
The middle-aged ranger visibly flustered and chafed at his lord's words.
''N-no of course not mlord...I am just worried for your safety that is all...not discounting your skill in ranging or your ability to lead your subjects...''
''I didn't have to worry anyway with one of the greatest marksmen in the house protecting me...I have confidence enough with you and my men and their skills to take down that wolf before it got to my neck.''
''Still my lord one mistake like one of us being a second too late will spell disaster not just for you but for the House as a whole! with you having no wife or any heirs, the house stands in dire straits!''
Vali frowned at the aged Ranger,
''First of all, you are starting to ramble...second, I think your just nagging on me again on why I'm still not getting laid...'' he said while a shadow of a smile crept on his lips.
Despite themselves, the other two rangers chuckled at their lord's comment but Torgen noticed them and shot the two a glare that can melt steel. the two promptly stopped and returned to standing sentinel.
''All I am saying mlord that you shouldn't have put yourself in danger for something trivial like this...you should have just sent a quad or me to deal with this wolf.''
Vali sighed and smiled to himself at the aged man's concern for him. it was endearing if not a little overbearing.
''Torgen, these are my lands. And I have a say on what I do or not do in it. And I say that House Erim takes every thing that affects anything within it seriously. There are no 'trivial' matters when the lives of my subjects are at stake...I would advice you to remember that. and remember your place.'' Erim, didn't want to sound too harsh to the man who raised him and was almost a father to him. But sometimes he really is too overbearing.
Before the older man can reply however, a noise jerked them all into action. Vali and Torgen had both drawn their blades and the other two rangers had their bow and crossbow at the ready. It sounded like riders but in this part of the woods? The group tensed for a few moments only lowering their guards when they saw what came through the treeline. It was four riders with one of them carrying a banner with the heraldry of House Erim. They were leading four extra horses with them as well.
The Earl quickly recognized the leading rider as the seneschal of his castle who promptly jumped from his horse, ran toward Vali then made a stiff bow.
''I appreciate the extra help Eric but as you can see we've already taken care of the beast'', Vali said while gesturing towards the now cooling body of the man-eating wolf. ''
I'm afraid I came here to bring dire news than any rampaging beast m'lord...this came from Ironfist Keep.''
The seneschal produced a scroll of parchment sealed with Morglin Ironfist's personal crest:
Only on grave and important matters is that crest used and to see it in this scroll means the news is of grave import. Breaking the seal carefully, Vali read the contents of the message from his liege lord:
[ +- ] Lord Morglin Ironfist's Message
To Earl Vali of House Erim of the Blackwoods,
For many decades, your house have served my own with distinguished loyalty and steadfastness that would be the envy of any lords throughout the realm. You can say that the fates of our two families are intimately intertwined and inseparable ever since the day your great-great-grandfather saved my progenitor all those years ago. The realm is also ever thankful for the vigilance of your Rangers and the ever watchful eyes of your scouts and are also comforted in the knowledge that we are safe from any evil that may arise in and around the dark forests of Blackwood. Also, I could not ask for a more loyal and steadfast man like you Vali.
Safe in that knowledge, I extend to you an invitation to meet me after a fortnight in the demesne of your fellowman Lord Ishiyari. I will be going there to establish a base of operations in accordance to the mission given to me by the Emperor himself. Before I can entrust to you the details of the mission I would advice it wise to exercise a modicum of prudence and secrecy on your part and for the few chosen men you might trust. With that out of the way here are the specifics.
Two weeks ago the Emperor sent to me a message of great import about a rising threat burgeoning from the south. A foul army of evil men, and monsters have formed a rebellious army poised to march on the capital city and put it to the torch. What is even more surprising than anyone foolish enough to challenge the throne is for the one who leads it: Viscount Kraeger - a companion of your youth and commander of the empire's northern reaches. he has turned against the Emperor in open rebellion.
Though he lacks the forces to topple the throne directly, he has embarked on a quest for a legendary artifact that will grant him powers great enough to destroy us all. The Emperor has called upon me and you in extension to march forth with my armies, destroy the rebel Kraeger, and claim the artifact for the glory of the empire.
I know it is hard for you to hear of this. I know Viscount Kraeger had been very close to you and your family. but I fear that he is set on his dark course and no amount of persuasion or entreaty can get to him anymore. I have lost the lives of two good messengers already in trying to get him to see reason and the Emperor had lost more in the same effort. I do not wish to inflict to you this hard duty but I can trust no one else.
Like I mentioned, I want you to go to Lord Ihiyari's lands and meet our combined forces there with as many or as few men as you can spare. I want you by my side as my advisor in the dark days to come. I know that even though you were close with the Viscount, I am confident that you will set aside any feelings you may have for him and let duty instead temper your resolve. I know I can count of on your loyalty. Maybe with you by my side, we can convince him to turn aside from his path however slim of a chance it may be. That and also keeping the realms safe by recovering that dangerous artifact.
Your liege and your friend,
Morglin Ironfist
P.S. If my news are correct (and they always are) it seems you haven't found a woman to wed yet. As your lord it is my duty to also look after the welfare of my subjects. That includes insuring that the lines of my most loyal and valued subjects continue. I know someone who can remedy that little problem and I would like to introduce you to her once you arrive here.
A myriad of emotions swept through the 25-five year old Earl's face after reading the message from his liege lord. Pride and happiness in reading about his lord's fondness for him and his house. Troubled after learning that someone has rebelled against the Emperor. Dismayed after learning that the rebellion was led by no other than his childhood friend Viscount Kraegar. And finally mild amusement and annoyance in learning that his lord is also trying to play matchmaker to him as well. As if Torgen isn't enough already.
Taking a few calming breaths, Vali commanded one of his men to cut off the wolf's head and put it in a bag. He passed the letter to his First Ranger who read it silently and by himself. with that done, he commanded him to burn the letter afterwards. Then all eight of them then climbed atop each horse then rode full speed back towards the Erim castle with the exception of two riders with orders to deliver the bag with the wolf's head and a pouch full of gold to the poor wood cutter at the edge of the forest.
The time for tracking and hiding in shadows is over it seems he thought to himself.
now's the time for fell deeds and dark days.
The leader of house Erim set his face into a look of steely determination. his duties are never over. now that he has done his duty to his people, it's time to do his duty to his lord.
I just hope it doesn't involve in too much bloodshed.
mormegil sent a note to CESN
Last edited July 27, 2021 9:18 pm
