Sightles

When the Flames Die

Thomas smiled, slightly, at Jezin's question, "Sir Redwyne is as valiant and honorable as any man you'll meet." Thomas started, as the pair kept on passing massive field tents. Thomas scanned his head from left to right, occasionally, as if looking for something, ""Of our 20 members, only Sir Redwyne Cole is the only one made of the true steel. In the last year of the tumultuous rule of Arduin II the Lost, 9 of our Sword-Brothers in the Order of the Thistle led 33 members of the City Watch to kidnap Arduin II and force his abdication." Thomas continued his explanation of Redwyne, his voice becoming slightly excited as he went on, "That happened during my first year of service. Me, along with 8 other of my Sword-Brothers, met them in the Palace courtyard, while the rest of the Order of the Thistle focused on hiding the Royal Family, and getting the king out of the Palace. It turned out, they shouldn't have bothered. 6 of our's died at the hand of the traitors, and I would of been among those dead if it wasn't for Sir Redwyne. I witnessed him cut down 16 men in total, including 5 of our traitorous Sword-Brothers, without taking a single scratch." Thomas finished, pausing for a second, as he stopped moving forward. They had arrived at the dirt runway of the jousting area. The tournament director would be near here, Thomas figured, "Covered in the blood of his fallen traitorous brothers, he wept for them, because of how far they had strayed from the path, and for how the King had driven them to their actions."

When the Flames Die

Right now, Thomas and Jezin are in the fairgrounds near the tourament. Everyone else is in the feasting hall.

When the Flames Die

Thomas frowned as the duo made their way out of the Palace, and onto the grassy grounds of the courtyard, still making their way to the royal fairgrounds, "I see. In Keilaudrin, the title of 'Sir' is less of title, and more of a small sign of respect for the person, rather than a way to glorify a person." Thomas replied, as he took a final bite out of his apple, leaving only the core. Thomas simply nodded at Jezin's observation that he would be more cut out for the melee than jousting. A fair decision. Jousting took years of practice, and few knights could get by on talent alone, "The general rules of the tournament entail the honorable treatment of any opponent you face, treating him as you would treat yourself. For the melee, it is a yield or death rule. If a person yields, you are bound by law to spare his life, and you win the match. If he refuses to yield, you are allowed to take his life." Thomas explained, as the duo started to enter the fairgrounds proper. As they passed bins, Thomas tossed his apple core into a nearby trash bin, keeping his pace as he did so. Thomas had entered melees several times, and had to yield a few. There was no shame for him, in yielding, but some older knights refuse to yield to another knight, and would rather take death than yield, "Obviously, if the opponent is fatally wounded before he can declare yield, no fault will be placed on the winner." Thomas added, as an afterthought. He had witnessed a few decapitations in the melee before, showing how fast and brutal the melees really were.

When the Flames Die

Thomas bowed, as he left Sophia, with Jezin most likely following. And made his way out of the feasting hall, "Are you going to enter the joust, Sir Jezin?" Thomas spoke, as they left the feasting hall, inadvertently calling Jezin 'sir'. They started the long navigation of the many halls of the Palace. Thomas knew by heart where the fairgrounds were, and could easily find the grounds. At this time, the grounds were likely to be done being set-up, and it was likely that knights were already starting to gather there in order to inspect the grounds, speak to their squires, and prep their horses. Thomas, being the champion of the Order of the Thistle, was provided with a team of 4 squires, and his own horse. The squires were likely sons of noble houses in Keilaudrin, and could be expected to preform well. Thomas had always been used to competing without the help of squires, but it certainly did help having 4 people at your beck and call.

When the Flames Die

"Tonight at the midnight feast would most likely be the best time to present your gift." Thomas responded, as he rested his right hand on his sword's hilt, "The midnight feast is a little more personal of an event and I imagine it would be much more appreciated then." Thomas added, taking another bite from his apple. Thomas thought over his removal from the melee for a moment, to himself, before turning his attention to Jezin, "I can take you to the tournament director, in order to declare yourself a contestant. I had removed myself from the melee, but the prospect of getting a chance to duel you, and Sir Redwyne, is a little too much for me." Thomas said, with a slightly smirk. The most obvious winner would most likely be Redwyne, which was expected, but otherwise it'd mostly like be a toss-up. The jousting, however, would be more clean-cut. Thomas knew he could most likely defeat Redwyne Cole in a joust, as Thomas had the experience of training on a horse since as soon as he could walk. It would still be a very competitive tournament, however.

When the Flames Die

Thomas smiled as he was approached by Jezin and Sophia. He began to reply, but was interrupted by the blaring of trumpets, which Thomas replied to by switching the apple to his left hand. With his right hand, he then placed his closed fist over his heart, facing the entrance where the King came through. Once the King had become seated, only then did Thomas' posture relax. As Bard II spoke, Thomas listened intently to the man, while standing at attention. When Sir Redwyne was named the champion, Thomas smiled. Of course it was going to be Redwyne. Standing up there amongst the rest of the guards and King, Redwyne looked no different than any other night up there. The only difference he possessed was his white cape trimmed with a gold lace. Besides that, he looked like your stereotypical knight. Not short, nor was he tall. Not strong, nor was he weak. Not fat, nor was he thin. Through Redwyne's black hair, streaks of grey could be seen through it, indicating the man's growing age. He didn't look it, but Redwyne was most likely the most dangerous person in the entire hall. Sir Redwyne had quite a history to himself. Said to be the only person ever to beat Sir Guy Arnulf multiple times in tournaments. He also participated in the Battle of the Nine Swords, where nine members of the Order of the Thistle, along with 20 or members of the City Watch, attempted to kidnap Arduin II. Sir Redwyne killed 5 Sword-Brothers that had strayed from the path that day, a feat no man can claim. As the King allowed everyone to go back to their activities, Thomas tossed the apple from his left hand to his right hand, while turning back to face Jezin and Sophia, "Good morning, Princess Sophia." Thomas spoke, softly, as he bowed his head, "I trust you found your lodgings to your liking?" Thomas added, as he raised his head back up from his bow. Once more, he made eye contact with Jezin, and gave a nod, acknowledging the knight, before returning his gaze back to Sophia.

When the Flames Die

Thomas' shift had ended earlier in the morning, giving him a chance to eat a little, and catch a wink of sleep before going back on duty. Thomas now stood in the feast hall, next to the entrance door, opposite of another Order of the Thistle member. They weren't on post, as the feast hadn't begun fully, and neither of them were scheduled to be on post for the feast, but they both took it upon themselves to use this chance to scope out the guests, looking for anyone who might become a problem. Thomas nodded to the Order knight across from him, before taking off down the rows of tables. Thomas absentmindedly plucked an apple from a nearby table, and took a bite out of the crisp fruit. Thomas was thankful that everything was going smoothly so far, and hoped it would stay that way. As Thomas took another bite from his apple, he began to wonder who the champion would be for Bard II. Thomas himself was already counted out, as he was the champion for the Order of the Thistle. Thomas smiled to himself, for a moment. Of course it would be Sir Redwyne, or at least it was the option that would be the most sense if the King wished to win the tournament. Thomas also had his name removed from the melee section of the tournament, preferring only to participate in the jousting section of the tournament. Thomas kept up his walk up and down the tables, watching as guests slowly filled the place, taking bites of his apple as he went.

When the Flames Die

Sir Bull nodded as the entourage entered the room, and he took his leave, dutifully shutting the door for them once they were all in. Sir Bull took back off down the long amount of hallways, making his way to Order of the Thistle's lodgings, where him and the rest of the members would grab shut eye and food before taking on the preparations for tomorrow. The knights were expected to be up far earlier than anyone else, in order set up an early post around the festivities. Redwyne would no doubt run the Order ragged the next day, making sure everything was ran in tip-top shape, something most knights weren't happy about.

When the Flames Die

Sir Bull led Sophia and her entourage through a multitude of halls, before arriving at a fairly large hall way with an end that had a large set of doors. Sir Bull approached the door, silently. It seemed not all of the Order of the Thistle were so eager to please foreign dignitaries. Sir Bull led the group to the set of the doors, and opened it wide. On the other side of the doors was a massive room that contained plush furniture, fruit platters set out on various mahogany tables, along with various doors that led to what one could assume to be bedrooms. Connected to the massive den was a balcony with a glass set of doors with long flowing curtains trimming the side of the doors. The balcony was bigger than most common houses. The room's pure size was amazing, and somewhat swallowed it's inhabitants, leading one to wonder just how elegant the King's room was, "You're lodgings, Princess." Sir Bull said, as he stood aside, to allow the entourage to enter their place.

When the Flames Die

Thomas bowed as Karl made his exit from the conversation, before turning to face Gareth, "I'm afraid I have to make my exit as well. I'll make sure to catch up with you tomorrow, once the festivities start." Thomas said with a smile, as he looked around the empty throne room, "It was a real pleasure to meet someone such as yourself, Gareth." Thomas added as his gaze turned back to the young man, "Have a nice night, Gareth." Thomas said, bowing his head, and then turning on his heel, making his way to the door behind the Throne. Gareth seemed like a good young man, and Thomas was excited to know another person like himself, and made a mental note to find Gareth after his shift was over. Thomas marched down the hallways, until he reach the Royal wing. Three guards, conversing amongst each other stood in front of a set of massive double doors, almost the size of the entrance to the Throne room. As Thomas arrived near them, wordlessly, they nodded and left their post, leaving Thomas to his night shift.