Sightles

When the Flames Die

"Nonsense! Tonight is a night for you to celebrate, sir!" Walden boomed, noticing Gareth's lack of initiative to pour another glass , pouring Gareth another glass, "Drink til you forget that you're now a very important squire!" Walden's laughing was only cut short by a long gulp from his cup, downing another entire drink in one go, and vigorously pouring himself another full cup. "Tomorrow, you'll have to be serious about your job like all the other sods around here, but tonight you ware young and free! Drink!" Walden said, lifting his cup, preparing to toast with Gareth.

When the Flames Die

"Excellent! You'll start tomorrow morning! Your new lodgings will be here in the Palace now! Hot meals, wine, and all the fun you can imagine from this day on, Mister Harker!" Walden said, reaching over and patting Gareth on the back with his brick-sized hands, that no doubt would shake Gareth, "A drink to honor your new appointment!" Walden took the glass he had just filled and, without even waiting for Gareth to grab his own glass, downed the wine in a single gulp, then proceeded to let out a short, uproarious burp that sent him into another one of his laughing fits, "Look at me! An old, fat fart burping and carrying on in the presence of a prestigious princess! Forgive me, my lady!" Walden said, grinning once more as he pouring himself another glass.

---

Thomas sat in a small, dark, and dank cell, resting against a wall. His eye had been treated, wrapped with snow white bandages that covered the burn marks, and destroyed eye. Everything in Thomas' life was flipped upside-down in a matter of minutes. He had killed Lexine, but now he was under investigation for conspiring against Bard II. Thomas sighed, knowing full well that even if he was proven innocent, Redwyne Cole would most likely dismiss him from service. Redwyne was not the kind of man to allow rash, and harsh decisions such as the one Thomas' committed to go without some sort of punishment. Under law, and the duty he had to fulfill as a member of the Order, he had done the right thing, and had possibly saved Bard II, but that would not save him from the judgement of Redwyne Cole. Redwyne expected his men to act, and proceed in a certain fashion, and any deviation was not looked on nicely. Thomas ran his fingers through his hair as he wondered what the others were doing; Gareth, Jezin, Sophia. He wondered if Jezin truly believed the allegations made against him, and wondered if his relationship with the man was tarnished forever. "No matter." Thomas thought, as he stood to his feet. "Once I am proven innocent in court, no one can question my actions." He was in the right. While he was rash, he was also right. No matter what the others had said.

When the Flames Die

"Aye, the Wolf Lord was one of the greatest warriors, and leaders, this world has ever seen." Walden replied, with his trademark toothy grin, "As they should. You don't become one of the most excellent bodyguard details on Estovet by playing by the goose!" Walden boomed, chuckling as he did. He suddenly turned his attention to Gareth, still wearing his grin as he did so, "Well, then, you were born in Keilaudrin. Good!" Walden said, as he grabbed an empty glass and filled it to the top with wine from the pitcher, "Would you be so kind as to accept a position as a Official squire for the Order of the Thistle?" Walden said, his voice slightly more serious, "Don't worry. You won't have to swear off sex, or being rowdy and young. You only have to deliver messages and be in the real heart of what goes on around here. We need a reliable assistant! Especially me! Eating and drinking as much as I do makes one a lazy and sleepy man!" He said, his booming laughter carrying through the Great Hall.

When the Flames Die

"Nice to meet you, Gareth Harker." Walden replied, with a smile, before turning his attention to Sophia, "Aye, there must always be those of kind hearts in dark times. It's the only thing that stops things from getting too grim." He said, with a slight chuckle, now turning to Jezin, smiling when he mentioned the Order of the Thistle, "I guess you could say I'm a member. I never took no vow, nor did I ever receive a nice cape to wear, but they call me Sir Walden of the Order all the same. I'm a volunteer for the Order. My father served as an advisory to King Bernard the Wolf, the man responsible for the military might that Keilaudrin now possesses." Walden explained, pride filling his voice as he spoke of Bernard and his father, "I handle all administrative and other issues a knight is not normally associated with." Walden said, with a smile, "Besides, I don't know if I could swear off girls and and spend every waking hour being as serious as they are." He said, booming out with nothing fit of laughter. Walden then turned his attention back to Gareth, "You look like a fit lad, and you don't look like a foreign dignartiy. Are you from here in Mullen?" He asked.

When the Flames Die

Walden smiled as he was reassured that Sophia's mother was in fact doing well, and that Lyok was in a lull of peace, "I wish I could visit Lyok once more, but those here in Keilaudrin rather have me here in court." Walden said, smiling his normal toothy grin, each tooth appearing to be about the size of a eyeball. When Jezin asked his name, Walden's face was overcome with seemingly mock-despair, "How rude of me! I am Sir Walden Corenhall! I would bow for my introduction, but I fear my belly has prevented that kind of introduction for a while now." Walden boomed, his friendly and warm face back, and laughing at his own joke, his laughter nearly as loud as his voice. Walden's eyes made his way over to Sophia's companion, who seemed to be comforting the young girl, and who also looked shaken up, "And you might be, friend?" Walden asked streching out his hand for Gareth to shake, Walden recognized some minute details that suggested the young man was of Elven heritage, and smiled, "Was it your mother or father that was of elf blood, friend?" Walden asked, his toothy smile showing once more, giving him the impression of a goofy man, rather than that of a stout knight.

When the Flames Die

Sir Walden, as he was scanning the crowd, saw several eyes staring at him, but he noticed a particular pair staring him down, "I'll talk to you later, Sir Redwyne." Walden said, with his typical booming voice. He noticed the girl the man was with as Sophia Octavia, someone that had been noted by the Order of the Thistle. Walden made his way over to the duo, slightly waddling as he did. As Walden made it over there, he smiled to the man, and looked at the girl, "Hello, friends. I assume you're our very esteemed guests from Lyok? How is your mother, Princess Sophia?" Walden asked, his booming voice surging over the group, and his smile showing his bright white teeth. For such a massive man, Walden gave off the impression of a jolly and friendly man. He then turned his head to Jezin, stretching out a hand, "And you are the most skilled Jezin Tremora!" Walden boomed, "I watched your fight with Jon Easten! I was impressed with your skill with a spear!"

When the Flames Die

Sir Redwyne stood in the door way of the Great Hall, having dealt with Thomas, delegating his detainment to another knight of the Order of the Thistle. Redwyne scanned the room, seeing familiar faces, and panicked faces. As Sir Redwyne began to enter the room, he could hear large steps behind him. Redwyne knew who those large steps belonged to before he even turned around. A massive man walked in beside Redwyne, and stood next to him. The man was easily 6'6, and nearly 350lbs, with a massive black beard, and short black hair. The man wore no armor, for he was well too over sized for most armor, but managed to wear a leather jerkin that fit fairly snugly, along with a long sleeved light blue buttoned shirt, and blue trousers. The man was as fat as he was muscular, finding a happy balance between the two, "Sir Walden." Redwyne said, nodding to the man. While the man wore no armor or sign he was a knight, the man was indeed a member of the Order of the Thistle, taking over the administrative parts of the order, as well as many other issues. While he was mostly a quill pusher, Redwyne had seen the man cleave a man nearly in two with the giant axe the man was fond of using in battle, "Sir Redwyne, how are ya?" Sir Walden replied, with a booming and gruff voice. The two continued their stance in the doorway of the great hall, as they conversed, "What do you think of all of this, Sir Walden?" Redwyne asked, turning his attention back to the Great Hall. "Whatever it is, Arcartus will answer for it, one way or another." Sir Walden replied, as he too turned his attention to the crowd, "War has been the only thing that's united this country, and it's been the only thing we've ever been good at." Sir Walden pointed out.

When the Flames Die

Redwyne took Harmony, by it's hilt, and allowed it to rest in his hand at his side. Thomas, looking just as confused as Sophia and Jezin, remained silent, "Don't be grim, Sir Thomas. It's just investigation." Redwyne said, now turning his head to Jezin, "Aye. Heading to the Great Hall would the best option for you, right now. You'll be called as a witness to Thomas' trial, if it gets that far." Redwyne explained, hoping the Lyoki weren't planning on bolting out of Keilaudrin as fast as possible. Redwyne looked down at Sophia, for a moment, before looking back up at Jezin, "Keep your charge close, Jezin. I don't know what political machinations are being set in plan here, but royalty is always something that must be guarded with a watchful eye." Redwyne said, nodding his head to the bodyguard, before placing a hand on Thomas' back, leading him off to the jailor cells.

When the Flames Die

Redwyne remained slightly for a moment, as he listened to Jezin's side of the story, before turning to Thomas. Thomas gave Redwyne a small nod, revealing that Jezin's side of the story was told with truth. Redwyne let out a sigh, and took the billfold a from Jezin, "You did well, Jezin." Redwyne spoke, as he flipped open the notebook. A wave of concern and worry washed over Redwyne's face, as examined the billfold. Slowly, he lifted his head up from the billfold and locked eyes with Thomas, then with Jezin, "5 Royal Arcartus Scouts. Captains, leaders of 5 different companies." Redwyne stated, being fairly familiar with the exploits of the skilled Scouts. Redwyne looked at the two of them, concern still on his face, "This most likely a move by the Arcatus government." Redwyne stated, simply. Arcartus had been attempting to conquer the rest of the continent for years, by now, and now it seemed the huge country had turned it's attention on Keilaudrin. Redwyne shut the billfold, letting it remain in his hand. "As of right now, it's your word, Jezin, against Thomas'. It seems entirely possible, given Thomas' training that he would be able to act before Lexine drew a weapon." Redwyne went on, eyeing down Thomas, "But due to misconduct in dealing with an enemy of the state, someone you could of restrained, rather than kill, I am placing you under investigation." Redwyne explained. Thomas had expected as much from Redwyne, and Thomas dutifully nodded, accepting the terms, "However, if what this is implying is true, Sir Thomas. You are a national hero." This caught Thomas' attention, as he perked his head up. Redwyne then turned his attention to Jezin, "Your suspicions are not unfounded, Jezin, but I can not take your word over Thomas', nor his word over yours. The evidence laid out in front of me suggest that Thomas knew Lexine was a possible threat, and took her to be investigated. It got out of hand, and Thomas acted rashly, but, " Redwyne shook the billfold in his hand, "Had he failed to restrain Lexine and it got worse, Thomas would likely be dead, and this Lexine person would no doubt be enacting further schemes." Redwyne further went on, "While, I can not abide by the action Thomas took, I can not condemn him for acting in service to his King, which is what all evidence suggest." Redwyne finished, as he pulled out a pair of manacles from behind his white cloak. "That being said, you are under investigation for misconduct when dealing with a possible threat, and under investigation for conspiring against the crown of King Bard II." A grim face came over Thomas, as he was manacled by Redwyne, his eye darting from Redwyne, to Jezin, but remaining speechless.

When the Flames Die

Thomas allowed himself to be led on, putting his hand down to his side. The sharp pain from his eye was setting it, giving him a bad headache. It was likely he'd never see out that eye, again, and likely that he'd carry burn scars on the area around his eye. Even if he was proven a hero for his actions, there was no future left for Thomas in the Order of the Thistle. Despite everything the Order had done in the previous 150 years, Redwyne a Morningstar, and Jezin was right. She would of been worth more as a prisoner, and Redwyne would know that. He would never allow someone who took another person's life like that, even in self-defense, to stay in the Order. Redwyne would more than likely even demand a trial before the King to judge Thomas.

---

The nearest guard eyed the situation suspiciously, but nodded when Jezin mentioned he must be taken to Redwyne Cole. The guard secretly hoped this was the man who had committed the crime, but upon closer inspection, it was Sir Thomas, of the Order of the Thistle, and Harmony was in Jezin's hand. The guard, however, dutifully nodded, and led the way to the Tower of the Thistle, which was currently under investigation by multiple members of the Order, including Redwyne, "One moment." The guard said, as he entered the Tower door, shutting it behind him. After a few moments, the door opened once more, With Redwyne Cole stepping out. A look of surprise overtook his face, as he took in the scene before him, "You will lower your blade, Jezin, and you will explain why you have brought Thomas before me, and why Thomas looks the way he does." Redwyne said, slowly and seriously, his hand on his blade.