Monday, November 28, 2016
Sunday, November 27, 2016
House Valmyrri, Final Session
The Valmyrris have a heated discussion about what to do. Tieghan is in favour of honouring her word to Baron Calder and somehow finding the food tithe. Ruormad and Hadrien refuse, insisting they have given enough tribute to the Fulcairns in their own blood. Tieghan eventually relents, and they make plans to leave immediately upon returning.
The Valmyrris pack up their household, but receive a strange missive-- a magical letter borne by a crow, evidently from Catriona Fulcairn, offering to waive their food tithe if they submit the baby, Moerel, to her, in order to divest him of his magical gifts which, according to Catriona, belong to the land by right. Ruormad and Etiene refuse to turn their child over, and Tieghan respects their wishes.
The Valmyrris leave the next day, forming a caravan with their men-at-arms and all the refugee families that were willing or able to join.
They travel south through Seamist, attempting to hunt and forage enroute as best they can in order to feed their large caravan. They skirt the heartlands, attempting to avoid the fighting that has plagued the lands near Stormpoint. Eventually they glimpse armed retinues flying the colours of Brosien; they attempt to avoid them. They glimpse fire and smoke rising from the land behind them; Tieghan calls a forced march to try and outpace the trouble behind them.
Rain begins to fall heavily, and Etiene glimpses something ominous-- a circling crow. Not long after, she and Ruormad see the caravan is being followed by thirty of the Fulcairn's Black Hounds.
Exhausted from the previous night's forced march, the Valmyrris attempt to set up an ambush in the woods while turning Moerel over to the servants and ordering the caravan to flee ahead.
The Fulcairns' forces attack, aided by a sorcerous mist that materializes from nowhere. The Valmyrris and their men-at-arms are exhausted, outmatched, and under-equipped; it appears hopeless. Tieghan and Anuvyn are gravely wounded by the Black Hounds but stand their ground, then Hadrien does something mysterious-- kneels and touches the forest soil. Moments later, the Valmyrris are aided by a pack of wolves that appear from the woods and attack the Black Hounds.
Screams of panic are heard from the caravan ahead, but pinned in fierce combat with the Fulcairns' captain, Kerendred, the Valmyrris are unable to help. Ruormad takes off in pursuit, worried about Moerel, but Etiene attempts to stay and help her sister, mother, and brother.
The exhausted Valmyrri armsmen are cut down by the Hounds, and only the appearance of the wolves staves off complete slaughter. Anuvyn, severely wounded and barely able to remain on her feet, fires her crossbow at Kerendred, bringing him down; his men drag him off the field, a horn sounds, and the Hounds retreat. But more panicked screams are heard from the caravan ahead, and the Valmyrris run to investigate. A strange choking grey mist has descended and is killing the peasants and refugees; their corpses are scattered everywhere, and panicked survivors run in all directions.
Etiene manages to find the servant Astrid, who is clutching Moerel, unharmed. Anuvyn and Tieghan search for their loved ones... then Catriona appears and demands to know where Moerel is. Catriona enspells Tieghan, charming her, and compels her to call out for Etiene and the baby. A tense standoff follows. Ruormad appears from the mist and tells Etiene the witch has ensorceled her mother. They devise a desperate plan-- he takes Moerel and gives Etiene a bundle of cloth to use as a decoy. Etiene slowly heads toward Catriona as she forces Tieghan to count down from ten. But as she reaches them, Catriona enspells her too. Anuvyn, hiding in the mist, attempts to take aim at Catriona, but she employs yet another sorcery, conjuring multiple images of herself. She advises Anuvyn to reveal herself, or someone will die; she remains hidden, and moments later, Catriona hurls magic at Tieghan, who, already gravely wounded and helpless, falls.
Etiene, Ruormad, and Anuvyn attack Catriona and her cadre of mirror images. She launches a terrifying bolt of magic which strikes Ruormad, toppling him from his vantage point in the trees; Anuvyn deals her a serious wound with a crossbow bolt, and she disappears. A crow, shrieking in dismay, is seen circling above the trees.
Etiene and Anuvyn rush to their loved ones. Tieghan is alive, but barely. Moerel is unharmed, secured in the treetops where Ruormad left him. But Ruormad has been mortally wounded by Catriona's magic and dies in Etiene's arms.
The caravan has been decimated. Only four men-at-arms have survived the fight with the Black Hounds. The Valmyrris find Hadrien, unconscious but alive... but they also find Dietric's body, slain by Catriona's poisonous haze, and clutching the signet ring that will allow them to take refuge at his family's lands in Islien.
Armed men appear, but this time, it is soldiers of Brosien, including the one-handed soldier the Valmyrri women saved in the mountain pass. They gather the survivors and render what aid they can to the devastated Valmyrris. With what remains of the soldiers and families, the caravan moves on.
With their remaining strength, the Valmyrri family makes it to Dietric's ancestral lands. Finding a large farmhouse, they are greeted by what appear to be Dietric's ailing parents; taken in as family, the Valmyrris settle in their new home. And this story ends with the family once again having dinner together, remembering the fallen but united by Moerel's laughter around the table.
The Valmyrris pack up their household, but receive a strange missive-- a magical letter borne by a crow, evidently from Catriona Fulcairn, offering to waive their food tithe if they submit the baby, Moerel, to her, in order to divest him of his magical gifts which, according to Catriona, belong to the land by right. Ruormad and Etiene refuse to turn their child over, and Tieghan respects their wishes.
The Valmyrris leave the next day, forming a caravan with their men-at-arms and all the refugee families that were willing or able to join.
They travel south through Seamist, attempting to hunt and forage enroute as best they can in order to feed their large caravan. They skirt the heartlands, attempting to avoid the fighting that has plagued the lands near Stormpoint. Eventually they glimpse armed retinues flying the colours of Brosien; they attempt to avoid them. They glimpse fire and smoke rising from the land behind them; Tieghan calls a forced march to try and outpace the trouble behind them.
Rain begins to fall heavily, and Etiene glimpses something ominous-- a circling crow. Not long after, she and Ruormad see the caravan is being followed by thirty of the Fulcairn's Black Hounds.
Exhausted from the previous night's forced march, the Valmyrris attempt to set up an ambush in the woods while turning Moerel over to the servants and ordering the caravan to flee ahead.
The Fulcairns' forces attack, aided by a sorcerous mist that materializes from nowhere. The Valmyrris and their men-at-arms are exhausted, outmatched, and under-equipped; it appears hopeless. Tieghan and Anuvyn are gravely wounded by the Black Hounds but stand their ground, then Hadrien does something mysterious-- kneels and touches the forest soil. Moments later, the Valmyrris are aided by a pack of wolves that appear from the woods and attack the Black Hounds.
Screams of panic are heard from the caravan ahead, but pinned in fierce combat with the Fulcairns' captain, Kerendred, the Valmyrris are unable to help. Ruormad takes off in pursuit, worried about Moerel, but Etiene attempts to stay and help her sister, mother, and brother.
The exhausted Valmyrri armsmen are cut down by the Hounds, and only the appearance of the wolves staves off complete slaughter. Anuvyn, severely wounded and barely able to remain on her feet, fires her crossbow at Kerendred, bringing him down; his men drag him off the field, a horn sounds, and the Hounds retreat. But more panicked screams are heard from the caravan ahead, and the Valmyrris run to investigate. A strange choking grey mist has descended and is killing the peasants and refugees; their corpses are scattered everywhere, and panicked survivors run in all directions.
Etiene manages to find the servant Astrid, who is clutching Moerel, unharmed. Anuvyn and Tieghan search for their loved ones... then Catriona appears and demands to know where Moerel is. Catriona enspells Tieghan, charming her, and compels her to call out for Etiene and the baby. A tense standoff follows. Ruormad appears from the mist and tells Etiene the witch has ensorceled her mother. They devise a desperate plan-- he takes Moerel and gives Etiene a bundle of cloth to use as a decoy. Etiene slowly heads toward Catriona as she forces Tieghan to count down from ten. But as she reaches them, Catriona enspells her too. Anuvyn, hiding in the mist, attempts to take aim at Catriona, but she employs yet another sorcery, conjuring multiple images of herself. She advises Anuvyn to reveal herself, or someone will die; she remains hidden, and moments later, Catriona hurls magic at Tieghan, who, already gravely wounded and helpless, falls.
Etiene, Ruormad, and Anuvyn attack Catriona and her cadre of mirror images. She launches a terrifying bolt of magic which strikes Ruormad, toppling him from his vantage point in the trees; Anuvyn deals her a serious wound with a crossbow bolt, and she disappears. A crow, shrieking in dismay, is seen circling above the trees.
Etiene and Anuvyn rush to their loved ones. Tieghan is alive, but barely. Moerel is unharmed, secured in the treetops where Ruormad left him. But Ruormad has been mortally wounded by Catriona's magic and dies in Etiene's arms.
The caravan has been decimated. Only four men-at-arms have survived the fight with the Black Hounds. The Valmyrris find Hadrien, unconscious but alive... but they also find Dietric's body, slain by Catriona's poisonous haze, and clutching the signet ring that will allow them to take refuge at his family's lands in Islien.
Armed men appear, but this time, it is soldiers of Brosien, including the one-handed soldier the Valmyrri women saved in the mountain pass. They gather the survivors and render what aid they can to the devastated Valmyrris. With what remains of the soldiers and families, the caravan moves on.
With their remaining strength, the Valmyrri family makes it to Dietric's ancestral lands. Finding a large farmhouse, they are greeted by what appear to be Dietric's ailing parents; taken in as family, the Valmyrris settle in their new home. And this story ends with the family once again having dinner together, remembering the fallen but united by Moerel's laughter around the table.
House Valmyrri: Etiene's Reunion
The fire is still cracking and spitting. The hushed chatter of those on watch and the steady susurrus of breath becomes soft and heavy to her ears. Ruormad’s skin - pressed to hers as much as they are able, on the ground, in the dark, amongst their countrymen - is rough and coarse from exposure. His body is leaner than she remembers and his face has changed, but somehow he smells still of the same pine and raw earth of their homeland. They haven’t spoken much to one another this evening - there is too much at stake here - and there hangs between them the unvoiced fear that this is all a dream. Soft glances and the furtive, confirming touch of hand against hand or cheek is all they allow themselves while amongst the others.
Ruormad is asleep now. He is barely visible by the faint dance of firelight, but Etiene is studying the new planes of his face. She doesn’t move, just watches as orange and yellow flit over what used to be handsome and proud and which now is scarred and sharp.
His breathing is even and warm and the promise of sleep is tantalizing; although her body is weighty with exhaustion and she would love to sleep, the tight knot of anxiety in her stomach won’t loosen. The wheels of her mind skip over thoughts of Moerel and the Fulcairns - they are painful and if she dwells on them there will be no rest at all tonight. Instead she struggles to distract herself with other thoughts...
The Northern Woods of Wilders Gorge are a dangerous place: only the most foolish or the most skilled would tarry here. Etiene is in her fourteenth year when she ventures in alone. The Woods hold no fear for her - she is cocksure and flush with the invincibility of youth. At first the terrain is familiar and she slips through the light brush easily. She delights in testing how close she may stalk the hares and deer before they notice her presence. A solitary boar appears - a trophy too aggressive to risk on her own - so instead she follows it, hoping to be lead back to a sounder of sows. Its midday before she realizes she is lost. Etiene climbs a golden-leafed oak in an attempt to get her bearings - but a broad swath of mountain and trees rise up to meet the horizon in all directions. A few clearings dot the landscape, but their scale is hard to judge. The male boar is gone by the time she climbs down. She waits for the sun to fall enough so she may ken her direction..
Etiene is sitting in a sunny spot, warming herself in the autumn sun, when the hairs on her body bristle. Although there is no outward sign - the birds still sing, the wind still blows - she is suddenly aware of being observed. It's a struggle not to give into impulse and react - she keeps her breath steady, eyes heavy-lidded and repeats in her head the feeling of the motion of reaching smoothly into her boot for her knife. There will only be one chance. She’s so preoccupied preparing for the attack she knows is coming that when a strong hand clamps over her mouth as an arm snakes around her midsection, dragging her back into the brush, she reacts with a blitz of violence. Her body snaps taut, head back,smashing their skulls together, making her ears ring. She bites down on his hand while she brings both her arms up, hands cupped for a vicious clap to his ears. But too late Etiene realizes that he is also prepared - and much stronger. He rolls and her face is smashed into the dirt as he lets the full weight of his body pin her to the ground. He springs quickly to a crouch, her small frame trapped beneath his knees, freeing his hands to secure hers. There are hot tears of humiliation and rage muddying the dirt on her face but the final blow doesn't come. She waits, but he remains - poised taut atop her back, but low enough to stay beneath the cover of the brush. She can’t make out his face - his head is cocked, intently listening. Etiene closes her eyes and stretches her hearing as far as she might… a moment later she finally notices - it’s barely perceptible from the flutter of wind in leaves but something is moving between the trees, belied only by the soft noise of weight on mossy ground. It’s quite far from their position - but both Etiene and her captor instinctively hold their breath until well after it has passed them by.
“Please, “ he whispers, “ do not make a noise, Valmyrri. We must go, quickly and quietly.”
Etiene nods, and he allows her to rise, gesturing for her to follow. On her feet, she observes that the young man is only a few years older than herself - but he holds himself with a steady confidence. She thinks she may recognize him as the son of a Wilder, but cannot name him.
Travelling with the young ranger, Etiene is surprised to find it almost difficult to keep up. They make great time, and soon she is certain that she could find her own way, but allows herself to be led home. The young Wilder stops on the road, within sight of the Valmyrri manor house, and gestures for her to go on.
“Give me your name, Wilder, so that I may ensure you are thanked properly for your service to my family today.”
He inclines his head, dark hair falling over his eyes.
“I am called Ruormad, lady”
Thursday, November 24, 2016
HOUSE VALMYRRI : Session 4 Recap
The Valmyrri women ride to Wilder's Gorge to tell Baron Calder they plan on annexing their land and leaving. He does not take the news well, angrily calling them deserters just like their menfolk, stating he will take their land regardless, and demanding they still pay the exorbitant food tithe. Oddly, he takes mercy on them enough to offer to pay Hadrien's ransom. They take his offer.
The Valmyrris begin the long and dangerous trek eastward to Vanilen. They opt for stealth rather than utmost speed, given their cargo of a thousand gold pieces; Tieghan manages to defuse a dangerous encounter with armed men in a remote mountain pass, and they continue on. They find dark reminders of the civil war everywhere, and manage to save one lone survivor of a recent battle; they are forced to amputate his arm, but do their best to patch him up and send him on his way.
Eventually they reach the lands of the Copperbornes, the Vanilen family who have taken Hadrien and the twenty Valmyrri men-at-arms hostage. Etiene glimpses a shadowy figure tailing them, but says nothing. They are cautious and bury the money outside the city, but their caution is unneeded-- Lord Copperborne proves to be an honest and honourable man, and the hostages are whole and hale, including Hadrien, who greets his mother and sisters with unbelieving joy. They thank Lord Copperborne warmly, and take their leave.
As they are encamped on their way east, yet another reunion occurs-- the shadowy figure tailing them turns out to be Ruormad, Etiene's husband. Ruormad explains he did not desert the service of the Fulcairns, but simply refused to abandon Hadrien and the men when they were taken captive. The reunited family savour a brief moment of joy, then contemplate what to do upon their return.
The Valmyrris begin the long and dangerous trek eastward to Vanilen. They opt for stealth rather than utmost speed, given their cargo of a thousand gold pieces; Tieghan manages to defuse a dangerous encounter with armed men in a remote mountain pass, and they continue on. They find dark reminders of the civil war everywhere, and manage to save one lone survivor of a recent battle; they are forced to amputate his arm, but do their best to patch him up and send him on his way.
Eventually they reach the lands of the Copperbornes, the Vanilen family who have taken Hadrien and the twenty Valmyrri men-at-arms hostage. Etiene glimpses a shadowy figure tailing them, but says nothing. They are cautious and bury the money outside the city, but their caution is unneeded-- Lord Copperborne proves to be an honest and honourable man, and the hostages are whole and hale, including Hadrien, who greets his mother and sisters with unbelieving joy. They thank Lord Copperborne warmly, and take their leave.
As they are encamped on their way east, yet another reunion occurs-- the shadowy figure tailing them turns out to be Ruormad, Etiene's husband. Ruormad explains he did not desert the service of the Fulcairns, but simply refused to abandon Hadrien and the men when they were taken captive. The reunited family savour a brief moment of joy, then contemplate what to do upon their return.
Monday, November 21, 2016
An Offer
Tap. Tap tap. Tap.
Tap. Tap tap. Tap.
Tap. Tap tap. Tap.
Black, beady eyes stare through the window.
CAW!
The flutter of wings, away into the night.
A rolled message. The unmistakable aura of power around it.
Sealed. Waiting to be read by those of the Valmyrri blood. What does it say?
CAW!
Tap. Tap tap. Tap.
Tap. Tap tap. Tap.
Black, beady eyes stare through the window.
CAW!
The flutter of wings, away into the night.
A rolled message. The unmistakable aura of power around it.
Sealed. Waiting to be read by those of the Valmyrri blood. What does it say?
CAW!
Monday, November 7, 2016
House Valmyrri: SESSION 3
The Valmyrri women return home from Fulcairn Keep, distraught. Etiene and Anuvyn decide to investigate rumours in town. A few shared rounds with returned soldiers reveal that the war is not over, and Baron Calder may or may not summon them back to the field. They also uncover that Lady Catriona Fulcairn is widely feared and considered a witch, and that the ransomed nobles are being held by a family of Vanilen called the Copperbornes.
News reaches the manor house that bandits are ravaging the refugee camp on their land. The Valmyrris gird for battle, taking with them the two elderly huntresses, battle-hardened since the fight at the old fort, a refugee who offers his services as swordsman, and Colin, the boy from the camp. They arrive to chaos-- refugees slain, tents burning, and bandits running amok. Furious, Tieghan and her party attack. They manage to cut down a half dozen of them, then Tieghan shouts for the refugees to take courage and defend their families. A hail of rocks flies from the refugees, the morale of the remaining bandits crumbles, and they flee. The Valmyrris make what attempts they can to treat the injured, but little can be done.
Three more refugee families arrive, begging the Valmyrris for shelter. Tieghan, determined not to turn anyone away, asks Etiene and Anuvyn to move into one room so they can take on more refugees. But Astrid, their servant, offers them her life savings in order to try their luck in the lands to the south.
Finally, Baron Calder summons them back to Fulcairn Keep, along with the Morgenstanes and the Haemings. They are asked for an account of the ongoings in the realm. Torel Morgenstane omits news of the slavers. When called upon, Tieghan tells Baron Calder honestly of the troubles with the refugees, the bandits, and finally the slavers they tracked to Three Corners. Catriona paces the room in the meantime, exchanges a glance with Calder, then Calder reproaches everyone except the Valmyrris for withholding the complete truth from him. He sends everyone from the room and addresses the Valmyrris, giving them grim tidings: Hedrien, Tieghan's middle son, made an error that cost the Black Hounds the lives of fifty men, and Ruormid, Etiene's husband and a Wraith (the forerunners of the Ghosts), deserted. He then tells them to keep the tribute of gold, and that the tribute this year is to be paid in food-- an amount impossible to acquire through hunting and foraging. He confirms that the Copperbornes have Hedrien, and the ransom for him and twenty Valmyrri men is a thousand gold pieces. Finally he states he doesn't care what happens to the refugees, as his priority is the survival of the Wilders.
They ride back home, despondent. Tieghan attempts to cheer everyone up, but it's a thin veneer-- in the night, she sneaks out of the manor house and rides back to Fulcairn Keep, intending to offer herself as an indentured soldier in the Black Hounds, in exchange for the rest of Hedrien's ransom money. The following morning on the way to the Keep, however, she comes upon Dietric causing a row with the castle guards. They argue, Tieghan asserting her actions are in the name of saving the family, Dietric answering the family will fall apart without her. She finally relents when he says they love her and want her with them. They return to the manor house, to an emotional scene with Etiene, Anuvyn, the baby, and the servants.
They attempt to come up with a new plan, but it proves no less desperate than Tieghan's. They decide to offer to annex the Valmyrri lands to the highest bidder, use the money to ransom Hedrien and the rest to journey with any refugees who wish to join, to Dietric's family's lands in Islien, as landless commoners.
That night, Tieghan asks Dietric to marry her, as her status as noble had previously prevented it.
The next evening, Catriona Fulcairn mysteriously appears at the manor house. She paces the house, seemingly searching for something; she scatters a strange red powder in the air, which coalesces and takes a moth-like form as it lands on Moerel, Etiene's infant son. She leaves shortly thereafter, leaving the Valmyrris even more unsettled.
News reaches the manor house that bandits are ravaging the refugee camp on their land. The Valmyrris gird for battle, taking with them the two elderly huntresses, battle-hardened since the fight at the old fort, a refugee who offers his services as swordsman, and Colin, the boy from the camp. They arrive to chaos-- refugees slain, tents burning, and bandits running amok. Furious, Tieghan and her party attack. They manage to cut down a half dozen of them, then Tieghan shouts for the refugees to take courage and defend their families. A hail of rocks flies from the refugees, the morale of the remaining bandits crumbles, and they flee. The Valmyrris make what attempts they can to treat the injured, but little can be done.
Three more refugee families arrive, begging the Valmyrris for shelter. Tieghan, determined not to turn anyone away, asks Etiene and Anuvyn to move into one room so they can take on more refugees. But Astrid, their servant, offers them her life savings in order to try their luck in the lands to the south.
Finally, Baron Calder summons them back to Fulcairn Keep, along with the Morgenstanes and the Haemings. They are asked for an account of the ongoings in the realm. Torel Morgenstane omits news of the slavers. When called upon, Tieghan tells Baron Calder honestly of the troubles with the refugees, the bandits, and finally the slavers they tracked to Three Corners. Catriona paces the room in the meantime, exchanges a glance with Calder, then Calder reproaches everyone except the Valmyrris for withholding the complete truth from him. He sends everyone from the room and addresses the Valmyrris, giving them grim tidings: Hedrien, Tieghan's middle son, made an error that cost the Black Hounds the lives of fifty men, and Ruormid, Etiene's husband and a Wraith (the forerunners of the Ghosts), deserted. He then tells them to keep the tribute of gold, and that the tribute this year is to be paid in food-- an amount impossible to acquire through hunting and foraging. He confirms that the Copperbornes have Hedrien, and the ransom for him and twenty Valmyrri men is a thousand gold pieces. Finally he states he doesn't care what happens to the refugees, as his priority is the survival of the Wilders.
They ride back home, despondent. Tieghan attempts to cheer everyone up, but it's a thin veneer-- in the night, she sneaks out of the manor house and rides back to Fulcairn Keep, intending to offer herself as an indentured soldier in the Black Hounds, in exchange for the rest of Hedrien's ransom money. The following morning on the way to the Keep, however, she comes upon Dietric causing a row with the castle guards. They argue, Tieghan asserting her actions are in the name of saving the family, Dietric answering the family will fall apart without her. She finally relents when he says they love her and want her with them. They return to the manor house, to an emotional scene with Etiene, Anuvyn, the baby, and the servants.
They attempt to come up with a new plan, but it proves no less desperate than Tieghan's. They decide to offer to annex the Valmyrri lands to the highest bidder, use the money to ransom Hedrien and the rest to journey with any refugees who wish to join, to Dietric's family's lands in Islien, as landless commoners.
That night, Tieghan asks Dietric to marry her, as her status as noble had previously prevented it.
The next evening, Catriona Fulcairn mysteriously appears at the manor house. She paces the house, seemingly searching for something; she scatters a strange red powder in the air, which coalesces and takes a moth-like form as it lands on Moerel, Etiene's infant son. She leaves shortly thereafter, leaving the Valmyrris even more unsettled.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
The Wraith Queen, Part One
'Midst the ashes of an Empyre, where smolder'd no more
The fyre of the Roeles, quench'd by red Tydes of war
No corner of the Realme, no family untouched by Woe
Yet in the Gorge, ever tall and green the Yewes grow.
On a great Steed the hue of moonless eventyde
'Cross the plains of the Cradle did a Warrior ryde
Once proud back hunch'd, Visage traced with scars unheal'd
And a bandage-swath'd stump where hand once held Shielde.
Marella Fulcairn, second chylde to Baroness Mhaeril,
Returned home from the blood-drench'd Battle of Hollow Hill,
Fought 'neath Boeruine's banner, till an Avanish blade
Took her hand, and of a fierce Warrior a Cripple made.
With all Haste she rode; her Heart long'd to Beholde
The Autumn Woods decked all in Crimson and Golde
And her elder brother Mheren, young Heir and Lorde
And in all of Cerilia, her most Adored.
For Mhaeril's second Chylde was as dark as bright was her First,
Grim of disposition, and oft rumour'd Accursed,
A bastard, the whispers in Tavernes would say,
The get of Baroness Mhaeril and a wand'ring Awnshegh.
To the gates of the wood Keep, Marella swift rode,
To see black Banners strung on the Fulcairns' abode.
The old Seneschal greeted her, eyes filled with payne,
"Lady, by Rhuobhe's horde are your mam and brother slayne."
To her knees fell Marella; she cried out, aghast,
"I'm not meant to be Baron, just a crippled Outcaste,
"Take my life, Haelyn, smite me with your divine Blayde!
"But return my dear brother; lo, I offer this Trayde!"
But Haelyn did not answer, so Marella broke
An Oath made to her mother; in Chyldehood she'd spoke
Ne'er to use the blood-gifts of Azrai, long Concealed
Lest her true Parentage be then thusly Revealed.
In her rage and her sorrow, she summoned the Blood
Through her Veines it did roar, in a vile, corrupt Flood
From the stump of her Arm, a horror all present saw--
Grew a Demon-Hand, night-black in Scale and in Clawe.
"I'm ill-suited to rule us," Marella proclaymed,
"So my gift to the Wilders shall be Blood and Payne.
"I'll Behead every Elfe whose footsteps foul our Home
"And I'll pile up their heads at the foot of Rhuobhe's Throne."
The fyre of the Roeles, quench'd by red Tydes of war
No corner of the Realme, no family untouched by Woe
Yet in the Gorge, ever tall and green the Yewes grow.
On a great Steed the hue of moonless eventyde
'Cross the plains of the Cradle did a Warrior ryde
Once proud back hunch'd, Visage traced with scars unheal'd
And a bandage-swath'd stump where hand once held Shielde.
Marella Fulcairn, second chylde to Baroness Mhaeril,
Returned home from the blood-drench'd Battle of Hollow Hill,
Fought 'neath Boeruine's banner, till an Avanish blade
Took her hand, and of a fierce Warrior a Cripple made.
With all Haste she rode; her Heart long'd to Beholde
The Autumn Woods decked all in Crimson and Golde
And her elder brother Mheren, young Heir and Lorde
And in all of Cerilia, her most Adored.
For Mhaeril's second Chylde was as dark as bright was her First,
Grim of disposition, and oft rumour'd Accursed,
A bastard, the whispers in Tavernes would say,
The get of Baroness Mhaeril and a wand'ring Awnshegh.
To the gates of the wood Keep, Marella swift rode,
To see black Banners strung on the Fulcairns' abode.
The old Seneschal greeted her, eyes filled with payne,
"Lady, by Rhuobhe's horde are your mam and brother slayne."
To her knees fell Marella; she cried out, aghast,
"I'm not meant to be Baron, just a crippled Outcaste,
"Take my life, Haelyn, smite me with your divine Blayde!
"But return my dear brother; lo, I offer this Trayde!"
But Haelyn did not answer, so Marella broke
An Oath made to her mother; in Chyldehood she'd spoke
Ne'er to use the blood-gifts of Azrai, long Concealed
Lest her true Parentage be then thusly Revealed.
In her rage and her sorrow, she summoned the Blood
Through her Veines it did roar, in a vile, corrupt Flood
From the stump of her Arm, a horror all present saw--
Grew a Demon-Hand, night-black in Scale and in Clawe.
"I'm ill-suited to rule us," Marella proclaymed,
"So my gift to the Wilders shall be Blood and Payne.
"I'll Behead every Elfe whose footsteps foul our Home
"And I'll pile up their heads at the foot of Rhuobhe's Throne."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)