Author's Note: In an attempt to busy on my duty of writing content for the stratics site, I've started a new story. If you are interested in having your story listed on the stratics website, please contact me. Hope you enjoy the story. ;)
The Delineation of the Death Knight
The Dark Knight is one who has followed the decrees and traditions of the conventional knight, but has succumbed to the evils of corruption, power and greed. They take what they have accrued and use it for their own will in complete disregard to their loyalties. In a sense, a Dark Knight isn't a knight at all, but rather a lost soul. Nonetheless, they are a force present in our population.
Jeuno's response to the Great War, the decree of National Adventurers allows the presence of Dark Knights and its training. Unfortunately, regardless of Jeuno's worldly knowledge and wisdom, they have overlooked a possible evolution of the Dark Knight classification, a title which is buried in the secrets of San d'Oria. There have been a few instances where the Dark Knight has been declared a superior rank known as the Death Knight. This rare level is only given to those who accurately get the corruption, power and greed they desire. Jeuno has foolishly overlooked the sole principle of what makes a Dark Knight!
The coming of the next Death Knight is inevitable as long as the Dark Knight is permissible. This will lead to sadness and destruction, a hierarchy of chaos that the Death Knight will control. San d'Oria has foreseen this impending doom, but holds too close to their secrets to deny Jeuno's decree. The secrets of San d'Oria are deep and little is known of what surpasses a Death Knight. There is such a position that has never been held and only spoken in tongue behind alleys of dappled darkness. It has a name in the plain tongue, but speaking it would burn one's mouth. This title is a mere evolution of the Death Knight and a forthcoming of the end of everything.
As long as there is potential for a Death Knight, there is potential for the end of the world…
In the dark corners of the world…
"And what now?"
The response was slow and tormenting. The inquired being glared at the darkness beyond the torches reaches and stroked the stubbles of his goatee, a mere murmuring in the back of his throat. The inquirer was not near as patient.
"Sir, I don't mean to intrude upon your thoughts, but the eyes of San d'Oria are turning your direction. I suggest you decide hastily!"
"The pawns are not all in place," he said coldly, his eyes fixated on the darkness ahead.
"What? And what would I be in your little game?"
"The Queen, of course." There was a faint curling of the leader's lips.
The man rolled his eyes. "Very funny. San d'Oria's gonna have my head and your crackin' jokes."
"Have Kerrigan buy the Eilenguard's estate and we shall continue from there."
"Eilenguard's estate? In the Rolanberry Fields? Why?"
He was retorted with a quick lashing of a glare, a glare torn from the complete enthrallment of watching the still dark.
"Right, right…don't ask why."
And the younger man left, a peculiar bounce in his step that would suggest he had inconceivable agility and grace.
San d'Orian Officiator Chamber
"This is an outrage!" a knightly Elvaan exclaimed, slamming down several papers. "Three more! Three more lives at the hands of this back-hill swine!"
"Sir Grieves, please. We are well-aware of the death toll," another Elvaan replied.
Grieves clenched his fists in an attempt to hold back a blatant scowling. "Forgive me, but I cannot suppress my irritation. This is no longer an incident, but an outright murder. He's simply ridiculing San d'Oria."
"Sir Grieves is correct," a robed Elvaan stated, pushing his chair back so he can stand. "This is growing out of our containment. Before long, Prince Trion will question the integrity of our council."
"Sir Harris, Prince Trion is far too consumed in his own mindless tasks to be concerned about some farmer's death," another robed Elvaan commented.
"I would not speak of royalty so disrespectfully, Sir Droy" an older Elvaan sitting across the table added.
"I will speak however I wish!" Droy angrily countered.
"Perhaps your head will be next!" Harris said.
"Childish banter!"
"Incoherent bafoon!"
"Enough!"
The head of the council arose like a wave after Levithan's decent. He was taller than them all and his bleach white beard rolled out onto the table. There was a sea of wrinkles on his face that could be seen above the hair that encroached his eyes. His old ears were drooping and he barely managed to keep his head still as he stood before his council. His lanky arms reached past the table. His name was Neumos.
The others quieted and sat instantaneously.
"The integrity of this council is questionable," he spoke slowly, the words seemingly quivering off the tips of his tongue. "Prince Trion shall not be demeaned here, Sir Droy. Not under my council. He has brought this board together for justifiable reasons, such as this case. We are to see to it accordingly and in an orderly fashion. We cannot allow for this treachery to continue, so let us provide a solution rather than argument. Yes?"
Everyone's eyes turned to the table and slowly they nodded their heads. Droy's attempt to conceal a sigh was as sickening as watching milk curdle. Neumos steadily sat back down. The council was quiet for a spell as they pondered on what to do. Then, the newest and youngest of the group, Yerxes Po'efunaught of the wealthy Po'efunaught family, stood with a suggestion.
"How about a bounty?"
The committee looked shocked by his comment, but couldn't find any reason to disagree. At least, at first.
"A bounty?" Droy asked.
"Yes. It would work well with the adventurer system," Yerxes answered, enthusiastically.
Droy half-laughed.
"I don't see why not. Seems perfectly logical to me," Harris noted.
Droy shook his head. "Might I remind you what happens when we put a bounty on someone's head? We state openly that San d'Oria is open to killing for money. We'd create an implicit support on the black market to okay bounties on various populace. Some bad, but some good! Also, we could send unskilled adventurers to their deaths, possibly resulting in complete anarchy!"
"I disagree," Grieves said. "I think it would show San d'Oria's disgust with this individual. Show that he truly needs to be put down. And with the league of adventurers going down his throat, it won't be soon before we see another following his steps."
"Very true," one Elvaan agreed.
"I doubt it," Droy replied, still disagreeing. "I think you're mad."
Grieves' temper rushed like before, vividly showing on his face. Fortunately, Neumos stopped it from flaring.
"Well, then let us vote on it. Send me your votes, either by voting with a check for instating the bounty or an 'x' to decline it."
Everyone ripped off a piece of note paper near there desk and scribbled their votes with the feathered pens that had been placed at the center between each pair of council members. As the votes were handed to Neumos, he noted it would be a two-thirds vote.
"One..two…thre-hack-ee." Neumos voice almost seemed to be lost, but he gathered enough strength to finish. "Twelve votes for the bounty and one against."
All eyes turned towards Droy.
"You've all gone mad."