Cayden Black

Dark Ties

((I'll make this post but hen we really should wait for the others to get a chance.))

"Jason. I shall speak with the Commander, but from today you will be my squire." Hardel spoke like the stern trainer he had proven himself to be. He was one of the few members in the Templar ranks that could wield magic without being forced to convert to Warlock. Hardel truly had a great influence over the Order without wishing it. "I am an Elf boy. Well, only a half Elf, but that blood runs through my veins as much as any other." He replaced the hood over his head to keep off the cold sensation that left his ears feeling unpleasantly numb. "Damnable cold. I prefer spring. At least things are not so bloody frozen..." The old man in him was showing himself as he wrapped up and held the spear close to his shoulder. "Follow me, boy. The sooner we have this made official, the sooner we can continue your lessons."

Hardel began a marching pace to the Commanders solar. It was a gruelling walk through the Templar barracks and up to the top tower over looking the training grounds. Anyone who suffered from bad knees would have been hard pressed to climb so many steps. It left many men winded after the climb. Hardel wrapped on the door and stood awaiting a reply. "Remember boy, say and do nothing unless spoken to. Lord Fredrick is a proud man and respects order."

"Enter!" a voice called out from behind the door, Hardel pushing his way inside and standing with his head bowed to a man in mail and leathers who stood over a hot fireplace sipping wine while reading reports from the front. "It is good to see you old friend..." Hardel said with a smile.
"Hardel! You old bastard, I thought you were still south of here." Fredrick slammed the goblet and letters on the table beside a chair across from the fire before walking up to embrace his old friend. "Too long my friend, too long..." Fredrick turned to see Jason. "...and who is this?"
Hardel intervened. "This is Jason Blades. I am here to discuss his apprentership." Fredrick seemed taken back by it for a moment. Not sure if he was hearing the words quite right.
"Are you sure Hardel? This is not some game you are playing is it?"
Hardel gave a harsh cough of dissaproval. "Certainly not. I sparred with the boy. He's a bloody fool as he is, but he has potential. It is about time I took a squire once more...."
Fredrick stood with a wary look on his face. Clearly their was history Jason was not privy to. The commander paced over to look Jason in the eyes as though inspecting a new filly and checking its value. "Tell me boy, Jason was it? What do you think of becoming a squire to Sir Hardel?"

Dark Ties

I did that because they are meant to be rare and play a significant role in future main plot arcs I have planned. Sorry Gilgex.

Dark Ties

Hardel twisted and dived on the frozen grounds. The light fall of snow had began to appear again as the two sparred in the training yard.For every thrust Jason made Hardel span and struck the boy on the arm of leg. Shouting at him "AGAIN!" and retaking his stance of standing at the ready like a suit of armour in the cold. Whenever Jason would slow, Hardel would go on the offensive. When Jason countered, Hardel would flow seemlessly into his defensive dives and parrying strikes that threw the young Templar off his balance and always ending with Hardel hitting him hard on the arm of leg with the butt end of his spear. The man was as illusive as a ghost. He had completely ignored the fact that near every Templar and Warlock was now standing and watching the two fight it out in the central ground.
The final strike that nearly hit Hardel was struck away, but not by his spear. Jason had gotten too close this time for such a counter. Instead, Hardel held out his hand and cried out, in a tongue that flowed like music into the wind, a single word that sent Jason hurtling back to fall on the hard frozen ground. The impact alone would have no doubt left him breathless. there was Hardel, standing over the young boy as he leaned on his spear. "Never expect a single weapon, for the hidden blade is the one that will kill you." He held out his hand for Jason to lift himself off his feet. "Come boy, you shall be my student. This I command of you."
The voices began to raise around them. Hardel had not taken a student in decades, he had helped train others but never taken one on has his own, not since the death of his son and his family. It was something that all knew never to speak of, but now they could not help themselves. Hardel raised his gaze to the instructors. He did not need to say anything with his eyes glaring at them. They simply took him for what he meant and began yelling at their own students to return to their training. "What is you're name boy?"

-----The Library-----

The great library of the Citadel was not quite as great as some would have been lead to believe. It was just a vast hall that lead to smaller rooms, each wall covered in old books and scrolls with shelves arrayed along the floors to allow additional books to be housed. It was a difficult place to walk through, and breathe for that matter. The air was thick with dust, the large candles arrayed by each shelf end half melted away from being lit day after day. The few Warlock students that had been studying quickly vanished to see the commotion their friends had spoken of outside in the training grounds. all save two Warlocks remained in the library now. One, a young man who seemed too interested in the particular book covering the history of the kingdoms, and the other an old woman.

Her pale blue eyes shot up as Herunes entered her domain. "What can I do for you Daemon?" she said loudly, her voice carrying through the hall. She was no doubt a once beautiful woman, but those days had past her now. Her lover was gone, her dreams of adventure spent and her joints now causing her too much pain in the cold air to even try and go outside the walls this time of year. Yet she worked tirelessly to catalog all the books they had in her library. She carried a large pile of old tomes, placing them on one of the slim benches that ran through the centre of the library and taking a small number of them before vanishing down one of the alleys, emerging once more with a fresh selection. "Cursed students. They may be gifted in body but not of the mind. How hard is it to return something to its proper place?" she spat at no one inparticular, scratching her head before turning to face Herunes once again. "Well Daemon, I said what is it?"

Dark Ties

For those interested. I have added LORE information on the 1st page to do with Elvin culture. I will do the kingdoms of Men next.

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Don't worry Volk. We're sort of killing time until Aegis posts. After that I'll wrap up for the sparring and get everyone into bed for you.

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Sounds like a plan. I have a few surprises in store about Hardel.

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I'll keep the sparring with Jaden a mock for you. Hardel will seem harsh but he's not like the other instructors.

Also anyone who see's the sparring, feel free to observe or just ignore it for your own story pursuits. If it is alright with you Titan, I plan on you drawing quite the crowd.

Dark Ties

Hardel side stepped and bowed low, far lower than a man of his age should have been able to do so. The moment Jaden came past he span and gave the young Templar a firm kick in the rear. "Too basic boy!" He span the spear and slammed the shaft down onto the frozen ground. His hood had come off duringthe movements to reveal a tightly knotted white maim that had been tucked under the cape, his ears partly pointed revealing an Elvish origin almost unseen by men. Even among the Order, Elvish were a rarity, even the half breeds. "Again, and faster!"

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He will be sparring with you yes. But don't let his age fool you. He's supposed to be a half elf (you can't tell with his hood up hiding the ears). One of the last Elven bloods left in the Realms of man actually, so feel very privileged!

Dark Ties

I did foresee this scenario coming about (the reason I am playing the NPC's and not my own Charactor). Anyone who needs a distraction just post in the OoC and I'll do what I've done for Titan.