L'espérance:
Returning to Port Morilles with Hope
(Present)
Interaction:
@dao ma,
@pirouetteTime:
Afternoon, Location:
Port MorillesCurrent Event:
Fields of Fire
The sea fought against each high stone, forming the wall that kept every survivor exiting the caves from being washed away. When Maerec exited the cave, Caelum looked at him and acknowledged the great feat they had accomplished,
“We did it!” Thousands of Parrench souls would live to love, laugh, and play another day. The next challenge was organizing the survivors, mostly women, children, the elderly, and the injured. It would take them hours before they could travel the collective mass of Port Morilles citizens to return home.
Caelum walked to Maerec, slapping his hand down on Maerec’s pauldron,
“Would you like to take the front guard with me?” Caelum intended for Dieudonne and Mathieos to take the rear guard and form a line to get everyone safely to Port Morilles without losing anyone in the hike.
The fruits of their labor hadn’t settled in Maerec’s mind until Caelum seemed to snap him back. He smiled at his friend, a bit of exhaustion in his demeanor, but he nodded at the other regardless. His limitations with his Gift seemed to reveal themselves while he had aided in filling the caverns with rock. He did, though, exceed his own expectations; in that, he could breathe freely and meet eyes with Caelum.
“You’ve surely tested my capabilities, brother.” He chuckled.
“Your plan worked.” He clapped a hand on the back of Caelum’s neck and jostled him teasingly.
“I was starting to doubt there would ever be an end to moving those rocks.”Maerec headed towards the front of the group with Caelum, instructing Parrench soldiers to gather the townspeople and guide them into an orderly line to make their way back to Port Morilles. The slow pace was welcomed, but the knight felt somewhat impatient. He’d never voice it though. He understood the limitations of those they saved.
“It may take us thrice as long to return to Port Morilles.” Maerec mused, looking to the direction that they had once come to get to the caverns. They had been moving at feverish speeds to reach the caves. Returning wouldn’t be nearly the same.
“We should prepare for frequent stops along the way.”“The plan would not have worked had you not been here.” His lips lifted into a smile easily visible to Maerec since Caelum’s helmet hung off the side of his horse. The amount of work they had forced out of themselves was enough to tire a legion, but they managed, and Maerec was right; the road to Port Morilles would take them a while. Over the hills, Maerec and Caelum led by example, stopping when an injured fell or when the elderly needed rest. It was near sun fall before the gates of Port Morilles were in sight of the long line of survivors.
“There!” Caelum pointed as his hips swayed with the horse beneath him,
“Port Morilles, we made it.” They would be reuniting families, lovers, and their soldiers back to what appeared to be a place that was no longer under threat. Momentary peace, what a gift from Pentad.
Maerec and Caelum were greeted with vocalizing cheers and heartfelt applause. The people of Port Morilles were both relieved and surprised to see the faces of all those they sent to the caves for safety. The Queen’s forces were already underway in their repairs, and as Maerec and Caelum reached the town square, they dismounted their horses to see that all the people they led were either tended to or reunited with their kin.
The rescue work had been completed about midday, and while they had saved many lives, Camille could only hang her head in defeat for the few others who did not make it. Each body she found under a pile of rubble was another face she’d recognized from her youth. Another neighbor. Another friend.
By the time evening had arrived, Camille had felt the fatigue and guilt weighing down on her. Her eyelids fluttered, and her head drooped while she lounged on a derelict support beam by the seaside entrance. It wasn’t a spot of comfort but one that Camille had stationed by to catch the beach cave refugees. She had hoped to find her parents, who had still not turned up among them.
The commotion had snapped Camille’s attention, her head whipping up to glance around after she had dozed off for another few minutes. The refugees had returned, and she perched herself on top of the beam, looking around for the faces she wanted to see.
So many others, and not one were her parents. The flicker of doubt she had for her parents' wellbeing, fanned into a flame of despair as she sank back down. If not in the caves then
where?
A face caught her attention. Not one she had expected but certainly one she had recognized. Sir Caelum, the Paladin of the Pentach, and certainly more meaningful to Camille, her savior. Were it not for him; she would have surely perished by the Eskandr fire witch. A fact that only came to light after she awoke several days later and was told to her by Claude.
She hurried over, armor chiming with her steps as she faced the man who saved her.
”Pardon, Sir Caelum?” She called bashfully, shrinking as she caught his attention.
”I wanted to express my gratitude for saving my life. I didn’t see it but my friend told me.”Caelum heard the timid voice of a familiar friend approaching him; as she faced him, Caelum could not help but notice her shrink,
“Camille De la Saumure, Dami’s Chosen, stand tall for if I remember correctly, it is you who protected me during our battle against Thorunn.” He brought his hands over Camille’s shoulders to prop her up at the full five feet and six inches she was. He then turned to look at Maerec and introduced the two with his left hand open toward Maerec to give them both a clear line of sight on each other, “Maerec, meet Camille De la Saumure, do not be fooled by her size for there is a deep strength in this one, she protected me at Relouse during the burning of the camp. If not for her, Thorunn would have cooked us all.” Caelum paused,
“And, Camille, this is Maerec De Solenne, a knight deserving of his station on more than a few accounts, with more courage and tenacity than I might dream of having in this lifetime. He too protected me when I needed it, except he used a stick.” Caelum looked back to Maerec with a smile ready to break into a laugh.
Seeing so many people that he and Caelum had returned to Port Morilles to reunite with their families was a rejuvenating wave of relief. It humbled him and made him just watch in silence for a time. A satisfied smile rested on his lips as he took in the sights. Even with all of the pain and sacrifice of battle, at least moments like these kept him in the light. Even more of a spark of light was to see a familiar face. One that he hadn’t seen since the Defense of Relouse.
Maerec stood there, watching Caelum and Camille interact for a moment. A swirl of emotion crossed paths with Maerec, hearing that both Caelum and Camille had saved each other from the likes of Thorunn. There was brief worry but then overwhelming gratitude. Arnaud had seen something in Camille too. So had Maerec when meeting her at the edge of the beaches.
“Sorry to burst your enthusiasm, Caelum. I’m afraid we’ve already met once before.” He grinned and extended a hand to Camille.
“On the beaches at Relouse. Though, I regret to say we didn’t have much time to talk. Good to see you alive. And I hope mostly well.” His eyes returned to Caelum, and he chuckled.
“I swear by it; I would be a better knight if I still had that stick.”Caelum burst into laughter and found space to breathe,
“I don’t doubt it,” and he continued to laugh. Gaining some composure, he looked to Camille, “I am too grateful to see you alive, Camille; how have you been managing yourself here?” Caelum asked curiously, their safe return did not mean there was not a lot of work still yet to be done, and he was unsure of the Queen’s status and the morale of the troops who came to Port Morilles before Maerec and Caelum.
They were so jovial. Undeterred from their righteous path.
Camille may have been embraced as an equal, but she felt she couldn’t stack up in her mind. Her mood and motivation had remained grim, hardly worth the praise as she certainly wasn’t inspiring. Not unlike these two. It had been Caelum who had wounded the witch. It had been Caelum who saved her. He was just being noble about it, yet in youthful frustration, Camille could not sense any wavering in his words. The true paladin’s tone was the same in both recounting her acts as Sir Maerec.
She gave a silent bow of her head to the other knight and then quietly took his offered hand. Maerec had probably spoken true, but she did not remember the battle at Relouse well. The whole battle had been a blur, especially following the comatose state she had been following the conclusion. It seemed like a distant memory, made years ago. If only, she lamented.
A forced smile was Camille’s reaction to Caelum’s laugh, her crude attempt at trying to belong. The conversation shifted, thankfully, to the rescue efforts here, at least as she understood him.
”The fires have been put out, and the ruins searched. We believe everyone has been found, and efforts are being put into repairing the city while the Queen’s forces are here to assist.”Camille quickly realized that while work was being done, she had fallen asleep while waiting to see if her parents would return.
”I… was waiting to see if my parents would return if they were at the caves, but I fear they were not there.” She swiftly put, fearing her efforts at helping her hometown were being put to question but turned regretful, believing she had revealed too much.
Caelum sensed the young girl’s hopelessness drifting over her like the thin cloudy veil of fog over a morning field. He understood Camille’s worry and the demons that clawed at her spirit,
“Camille, if you have not found your parents among the dead, then until proven otherwise, they walk among the living.” The uselessness of thinking the worst without evidence to support it helped no one except the enemy and their demons.
Before the three could continue, Dieudonne interrupted with news of the evening sermon to be serviced at the Cathédrale des Cinq Flammes by the bishop of Port Morilles. Caelum turned to Camille and Maerec,
“will you two be joining me?”Camille nodded. She was tired, but if there were one thing that could comfort her, it would be prayer. However, her mind would search the divine for an answer to her parents. If they do indeed, still walk among them.
The sermon brought forth a sliver of hope that one day Port Morilles would become the grand place it once was. All wounds the people have suffered would be mended, healed, and never forgotten. From the ashes, the people were able to rise back up and continue to choose life. Followed up by the Queen’s inspiring call to arms the following morning, the Parrench found a new vigor as they readied to rendezvous with Arsene’s small force.
Eye of the Storm:
A Night Before Flames
(Present)
Interaction:
@dao ma,
@pirouetteTime:
Evening, Location:
Perrench camp outside of Port Morilles, heading to burning villagesCurrent Event:
Fields of Fire
Despite everything, the pace was good, and they made a good time. Nightfall came, though, and they were forced to camp. Quick work was completed to set up and light campfires. Each one had groups of people around them, some resting to prevent further fatigue while others remained up to keep watch.
“Another calm before the storm. The stars always seem to shine brighter, as if knowing the outcomes.” Maerec lamented. He’d been sitting around one of the fires, finally getting a good moment’s rest.
“Though what the storm entails has yet to be determined.” Would they meet the Eskandr on the field before reaching Arsene and his men? Maerec couldn’t put his finger on it, but something unsettling rested in the pit of his stomach. He idly brushed his thumb over the pendants he wore around his neck.
Caelum heard his friend, Maerec. He was right. There were these ever-fading moments of brief reprieve before the souls of men and women were tested. A test he and his brethren wished had never happened.
Why couldn’t everyone see the same light? Why did it have to end in the loss of lives before common sense broke through the skulls of stubborn men?,
“May we see these stars ‘til the end.” Caelum replied to Maerec; the stars always seemed to bring one’s heart and mind back to center, even if only in the calm moments before the storm. The stars remained consistent, bright, and clear.
Caelum felt hopeful; his friend, new companion, the sermon, and Queen’s speech all massaged his soul with purpose. However, he sensed Camille might not be feeling the same. The internal battle between family and duty weighs heavily on those living souls stuck in the middle.
He leaned forward on the edge of a log that was makeshift into a bench upon setting camp, his hands clasped over each other, chin resting on the back of one, staring into the crackling flames. He turned to Camille,
“I am curious, Camille, what do you hope to gain at the end of this road?” For Maerec, it was his duty as a knight, and potentially his success would leverage him into a Lord. For Caelum, he was of The Unconquered Sun, his duty to the Brotherhood guided his direction and would until he died. But, for Camille, the question seemed unanswered, at least in Caelum’s mind.
Camille had been private, mulling over the events from the past twenty-four hours in her mind. There was a light, Dami’s Light, but it was so faint that still, she was unsure what her role was. Reading the visions and answers to her prayers was frustrating to no end. Why couldn’t the answers be straight and easy? She never was smart…
”Hm?” Camille had heard Caelum’s question, though her brain had been distracted, so it took her the length of a pause to recall.
”I had a vision over a year ago.” She watched the fire, not turning to the paladin out of a recollection habit of hers. She never looked at someone when reciting memories, like looking away helped her remember better.
”A year ago when the Eskandr first attacked my hometown. It was Dami picking up a hammer in one hand and holding the king's banner with the other. I thought that meant I had to lead, and I did, but…”She hung on that word letting the comfort of the fire crackling soothe her nerves to reveal her struggle.
”...I didn’t think I would still be leading. I’m not as brave nor as strong as people say.” She wasn’t sure why she felt comfortable enough to share this with Caelum. Maybe it was her respect as an elevated man of faith. He seemed like he was experienced with interpreting the Pentach’s will.
”Often I just think I want to go home. Lay on the beach like I would do almost every morning. Help my father tan the hides.. I always hated the smell.” A faint smile turned on Camille’s lips as memories flushed in.
”Mama would have fresh bread for us after….” She sounded pained on this point, dropping her gaze to her feet.
”... Then the rest of the day was free and every day was different. Helping people and sharing meals. We all knew each other.” Tears welled in the corner of her eyes and she swiftly drew her sleeve across to wipe at them, flustered she was so helpless to her emotion.
She sniffled, managing to compose herself long enough to conclude.
”I never know what Dami wants, but I think he wants me out here. To sacrifice what was my life to save others' lives who should have it just as good as mine was.”Caelum watched as gems rolled from Camille’s eyes. Her vision of faith and memories of love was apparent to him. He saw what she did not, but maybe he could communicate her strength, something she seemed to feel without. Caelum leaned in ever so slightly,
“I do not think I see it the same as you, Ms. Camille De la Saumure; your bravery and strength rest in your love and faith,” Caelum extended his right hand to her to catch her attention, and then forced it back to his chest, pounding at the spot where his heart beat the loudest,
“these two forces burn and cool your heart,” he opened his hand to grip his shirt tightly to emphasize his point,
“to quench your mind and spirit like hot steel dipped in ice.” Caelum paused, drew out a small blade from his boot, raised it flat side up to his eyes, and scoped down to the end that now pointed at Camille,
“a quenched mind and spirit are like this blade drawn out of the forge, you see it’s strength does not depend on in its size or its name, but in its integrity to stay true and straight in one direction.” The knife’s ornamented circular guard and short gold crested arch to protect the hand of the wielder would catch the eyes of most. Black strands of individually woven leather braided up from the Unconquered Sun’s symbol on the butt of the hilt to the gold horizon at the guard. An acute bevel carved down the blade's center to take away weight without compromising its integrity, providing easier thrusts and ejection. Crafted by the Brotherhood's finest, a motto etched on its blade,
“May Oraphe Keep You.” A sign of mercy to those lives that might be taken with its edge. Caelum flipped the blade toward him, showing the handle end to Camille,
“the way I see it, you are strong because your heart’s integrity is true, and it points in one direction, a strength rarer than a dragon’s head, Dami’s Chosen.” He offers the young saint his knife, a token of a new friendship and a symbol of hope, love, and faith found on the battlefield.
Camille sat, unblinking for a moment. In the young lady’s mind, Caelum's words were worth their weight. He was, after all, a true and inspired hero of the faith. Yet still, she searched, eyes darting around his facial features as if expecting some tell that the man was lying only to make her feel better. None were noticed, not that she had that skill, to begin with.
She reached out and grabbed the knife, gripping it with the softest touch and gently withdrawing it to her person to study. Lord Gabriel had armor her size made, but it was plain, nothing more impressive than the standard knight of Perrance. Her two-handed sword had been a choice by accident, yet the armory’s sword was gifted in light of Camille’s surprising ability to carry it like nothing with Dami’s assistance. Caelum’s knife, however, was uniquely forged. Crafted, might have been a better word as it was made finely.
The most important feature, however, was the Unconquered Sun symbol. It had been a sun that led Camille down her path, sunlight drawing her attention a year ago. Now here, she sat running a caressing thumb over the symbol of Caelum’s order, feeling a strong draw to the iconography.
”Would you teach me, Sir Caelum?” Camille had finally replied, glancing up from the knife to meet the paladin’s gaze. More than a touch of sorrow had left her expression; now, she looked unmoving, at least in the slightest sense.
”Teach me that I might better be what Dami wants me to be?”Teach her? Caelum was no teacher; at least, he had never fashioned himself as one. It was an unexpected request. The Brotherhood obliged him to take on recent graduates of the Order, hence, Dieudonne and Mathieos. But to be requested outside of the Order was new; he sensed protecting her was important, even if he did not yet understand exactly why.
May it be Oraphe’s Will? Caelum thought to himself and then answered,
”If you wish, I will show you what I know; I do not know how helpful it will be, but if you feel this is important, then stay close.” It was all Caelum could offer,
“in the meantime, let’s enjoy our time under the sta-” Caelum was interrupted by a massive eruption off in the distance on top of Mount Errant. Fire burst from the top as if a dragon tried scorching the sky. The three broke all thought and communication as they stood to turn toward Mount Errant, another massive fire spewed up at the stars, and Caelum turned toward Maerec,
“Something tells me this was not the calm before the storm, but the eye of it.” Caelum felt something bigger than the events of Vitroux, Relouse, and Port Morilles were about to reveal themselves in their path.
Maerec:
””Caelum:
””Camille:
””
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