The Conclave Arrives
Starguard Castle
It had been many years since the last Conclave had been called, a time when the forces of darkness became a threat to all the world. Now another Conclave has been called and while the danger is present there are those who argue it's warranting of an assembly of this magnitude. Nevertheless the Council of Knight-Commanders would answer the call and along with two hundred chosen knights to bear witness to what could possibly be a pivotal moment in the history of the third era. In the northern hinterlands of Farendar, near the Valley of Kings, the ancient stronghold of Starguard awaits the arrival of three thousand Knights of The Dawn Covenant. The first home of The Order and central headquarters, this age old fortress sits atop Watcher's Mound ever vigilant over the village it neighbors as well as the world.
Twas not long past noon when the final group of Templars reached the road to Starguard Keep. Lead by Knight-Commander Grathan, two hundred men and women marched along the kingsroad in unison with banners flying and the combined sound of two hundred ironclad feet sending a tremor through the earth. The road they traveled on was met on both sides by a forest, the pine trees grew high and the sheer number of them darkened the woods. The sky was darkened by the clouds which hinted on the coming of rain by nightfall and the air had a thin veil of mist about it. Twas an ominous atmosphere that put the troops further on edge. The kingsroad has always been preyed upon by highwaymen that was of no issue. It was the possibility of something more then a man lurking in the shadowed woods just out of their sight. Training your life to fight monsters does not remove the fact they are monsters. Whether it be the common troll or the terrifying Hydra, all monsters have an air of abnormality about them, an off-putting sense that these creatures are not meant to be. No matter how long one has been a knight of The Order, they will always experince that feeling.
Knight-Commander Grathan knew this fact and as he led his army from the front he surveyed he approaching road. The fog that covered the land made it impossible to see what was ahead until his army was practically on top of it. "Knight-Captain!", Grathan called out into the ranks behind him, there was silence as the army halted its advance. Suddenly a figure atop a white mare came galloping alongside the road before coming to halt beside the Knight-Commander. "You summoned me, sir?", Knight-Captain Evelyn asked upon calming her mount. Grathan did not speak until after he had given the order for his men to continue marching. "Tell me, why is it that off all the Knight-Captains under my command I chose you to accompany me to the Conclave?", the Knight-Commander was stoic with his question, as he always seemed to be. The answer did not come easily as Evelyn looked to her side into the misty woods and then to the men behind her before back to her commander with her answer, "I don't claim to know one's mind but I suppose you choose me for I am among those best to protect you?".
"Is that overconfidence I hear?", Grathan raised a brow at Evelyn who smirked for no longer than a second. "As I said I claim not to know your mind. The way I see it, whatever reason The Conclave has been called for is a serious threat and so you'd surround yourself with able bodied men to protect you on this journey. I claim not to be superior, only that it may be so in your eyes".
"While that is a valid reason, I did not choose you simply because you were a capable warrior. I received word from the other Knight-Commanders before leaving for Starguard, some believe The Conclave needless, they believe that whatever threat is to be discussed would have been more prevalent if it were truly worth such drastic action. I brought you with me to witness the meeting and to prove a point"
"What do you mean?"
"There are those in The Order whom I believe do not take their duties to heart. They believe whatever this new enemy may be will simply fade away if some show of force is made. I brought you along to show you to Conclave, to show to these tired old men what it means to be a Knight of The Dawn Covenant", Evelyn knew not what to say. While she was glad that she had been living the principles of The Order so well, a part of her felt strange. A feeling that her life, whoever she was meant to or could have been was no more and that The Order was all she'd know. She'd know only a life of hardship and bloodshed but also a life of service and honor. The thought of it brought a smile to the captain's face.
"But enough of that, how are the men?", Grathan's voice pulled Evelyn back to the present and with a quick clearing of her throat she answered, "Rations have held up for everyone, lack of fighting has kept our blades and armor in well enough condition however repairs are needed for some of the forward scouts' boots-".
"I asked how the men are doing, not their gear", Grathan cut off Evelyn before she could continue. Evelyn knew what he meant by this, with that she took a deep breath before starting over, "The men are well, a little on edge over this talk of a new enemy but other than that they are ready for anything. Our scouts reported signs of a Kest hive in the area, we should be out of their way not much longer but I sent a group of mages to clear it out"
"It should be safer for others traveling this road now...Tis a shame you lost your birthright, you would have made a good Wardeness"
"Twas The Order that made me who I am today, had I become Wardeness I fear I'd become my parents. I'd rather be a Knight than a highborn"
"Speaking of highborns, how is his majesty? If I remember correctly it's been a few years since he was stationed under your command? I'm surprised I haven't heard news of the two of you", Grathan glanced back hoping to spot the Prince but to no avail, surprisingly the fourth born blended in with the others.
Evelyn's eyes widened at Grathan's question. For all the years she'd served under the Knight-Commander she rarely saw humor from him. "Forgive me sir but was that your attempt to mock me? I couldn't focus, unfortunately I was distracted by the fact that your belly has pushed your chestplate out. I pity your horse", the commander hurriedly felt his torso to confirm the comment. To his relief it was a lie but nevertheless Grathan's face turned bright red as he looked to his second. "Insulting a superior officer, I could have you flogged for that", he retorted as he fastened his armor just to be safe.
"You could but then you'd have to present a bloodied Knight-Captain to the Conclave", Evelyn laughed before removing her helmet and placing it under her arm. "In truth sir I'm not too certain of Prince Acaelus. He appears in good enough health and I've done what I could to stop the men from harassing him. We've spoken before but every time I'm reminded of what would have been. I'd prefer not to visit that part of my life. Despite that I've watched his progress, he fairs quite well with our cause", Evelyn looked back into the ranks but much like Grathan she could not see him. Perhaps he'd really gotten attuned to this life.
As for the Knight-Commander his gaze was locked forward as he felt his beard, "The boy has come a long way for a fourth born. Tis not an easier life but a more fulfilling one, surely. Either way it is good he's learned our ways. For what will come next will require us all at our best...we've arrived". Evelyn ceased her search for the prince and turned forward just in time to see the fog clear to reveal Starguard Keep. Seated upon Watcher's Mound the great stronghold seemed to dwarf the village below. What's more it seemed there was a housing issue as troop encampments had been placed outside the castle grounds. "Right, who's the bastard who brought more men? The keep could only hold a certain amount and now our men will have to sleep in tents!", Grathan's face again turned bright red. It looked as if his head would explode and Evelyn had to try desperately not to laugh.
Arriving at the castle gates a small group of Templars stood watch. One of them, the commanding officer of the gate group, spoke up. "Commander Grathan, we've been expecting you. There's been a housing issue as you can see so your men will have to set up camp outside the castle walls. However they are free to enter and exit the keep as they please", the guard captain saluted Grathan before returning to his other duties. "Alright men, seems we'll be camping for the next few nights. Go set up your tents then enter the keep for supper. Dismissed", the two hundred men scattered off to find their spots upon Grathan's word. "Come let's head inside, now that all the commanders are here I'm certain they will want to begin the Conclave soon". With that the commander and his captain dismounted their horses in the stables and made their way into the keep.
