June 14th
Year 19 4AOS
Ser Arthur
Rain fell from the sorrowful gray skies without remorse on Thara, a vast country with rolling green hills as far as the eye can see and mountains standing meekly in the distance surrounding the folk of the Greenlands. The grim light of dawn shaded the country in a gloomy blue tinge. A cold breath from the mischievous mountains gave the farmers of the community a dreadful chill like winter approaching to conquer the waning spring. Their dirty and tattered brown tunics did very little to comfort them from the oncoming nip from the mountain, but they were used to weather like this. It was always raining in Thara, and the mountains often enjoyed causing further discomfort to the citizens below their feet with a powerful breeze from their tops. They brushed the cold off like it was nothing and continued reaping the land around them to plant their crops of corn and barley.
Ser Arthur Arledge climbed the muddy dirt road up a steep hill towards the town of Devlinshire, a community of straw huts, log cabins; for those with the skill and strength to build them, a blacksmith and the hilltop bastion of Castle Devlin dominated the small town beneath its shadow. It was a well-built fort shaped like a triangle made of white limestone with tall walls toothed with crenellations, a plethora of ramparts, towers over fifty feet high, and wooden battlements fixed to the outside of the castle walls.
A warm gold glow illuminated from the windows of the castle appearing very inviting. Though Ser Arthur was a mere hedge-knight, he was a knight no less. Surely the Lord of the castle would be a gracious host and allow him to stay the night and offer food and drink. He had ten silver pieces and five gold Star Chips, enough for a warm bed and perhaps some oats for his tall warhorse Mandaril.
Chickens and ducks waddled across the road in front of him. Some pigs snorted while sniffing around the dirt roads looking for scraps of food. A few of the peasants sat with them in front of the stone wall built along the length on either side of the dirt path. They were holding up cracked clay bowls hoping for a Star Chip or even a copper penny for some soup or a crust of bread at the inn just below the hill the town lay perched on.
A few traders carefully led their carts down the steep hill and a group of pilgrims praying for the fire goddess passed by him locked in prayer for the summer suns to arrive quick and relieve them of the torturous chill of the mountain rain.
There was an alcove in front of the castle with two gateways; both had their iron gates down. A guard sneezed before slurping his hot soup in a brown tin can given to him by a small boy making the broth in a black cauldron over a fire pit of stone.
"What business do you have here?" the guard asked, holding up his hand to cease Ser Arthur's advancement towards the castle.
"I am a knight," Ser Arthur declared. "I seek food and drink and perhaps a stable boy to feed some oats and give water to my horse."
"You don't look like a knight," laughed the guard. "May I ask who it was who named you?"
"I was named a knight by Ser Baron Kingsly of the Emerald Marches."
"Never heard of him," said the guard. "How do I know you're not making him up?"
"You've never heard of the Massacre of Black Mountain? The last ride of Prince Talion Alteria?"
"I have," said the guard haughtily before taking another gulp of his soup. "But how do I know you're not making this up? I thought there were no survivors."
"Ser Baron and I were in that battle; I speak truth. I was merely his squire at the time. And there were a few soldiers who escaped before King Forrest's cavalry overwhelmed us. Ser Baron took a bolt from Forrest's son Prince Malcolm just as we rode down the mountain. The bolt struck his rib and he fell to fever. Just before he died, he knighted me and told me to come here to Devlinshire to seek the son of the castle lord, Duke Devlin. He knew him well."
"You are too late. Duke Devlin has his hands full in the Gate Wars in Emboldor. Besides; there's no room for the likes of you. The castle is to be kept vacant for the arrival of Lady Avellana Lofnmagni Ethelfleda: The Summoner of Dragons. If you seek food, you can go to the tavern just below the hill. There are no beds to be had, though, but Bruma the innkeeper will let you rest your head on the table for the night."
"Sorry to have troubled you," said Ser Arthur. He heard a horn blow from below the road.
"Ah, now there are some true knights to behold." The guard nodded, raising up his drooping kettle-hat helmet to get a better view of the convoy approaching the castle.
Ser Arthur turned around to feast his eyes upon an impressive group of travelers riding up the mountain atop valiant and well-groomed steeds, save for a giant of man, if Arthur could call him that. For the beastly-knight had the body of a well-built giant but the head and mane of a fierce lion. He had heard tales of the beast folk from the islands far to the Crying Seas. He saw pictures of them in his book as a boy. Never did he imagine he would see one. He was too big for a horse so he walked proudly alongside a young woman with flowing blonde hair that elegantly streamed down to her lower back. Her eyes were like molten silver revealing to Arthut that she was a Norman girl.
The people of Normandia were well-known for their eyes like silver or gold. Hers were glimmering like the silver pieces in Arthur's purse. She wore a white gown that exposed her slender shoulders but they were covered and warmed by a white fur cape clasped over her chest with a brooch of gold filigree encasing a giant opal shining in all the colors of the rainbow. Her pink lips were polished with gloss and her long eyelashes flapped like the wings of a black butterfly when she blinked. She rode atop a white stallion in silver chainmail and armored in white chaffron, crinet, crupper and brayette trimmed with silver threads forming intricate patterns.
Alongside her rode two girls with little dragons as familiars. There was a half-elf girl with a peculiar dragon perched on her shoulder. A Duel Monster called Baby Tiragon. Though it was a dragon-type creature it had the appearance of a cat with stubby dragon wings. The second girl, a blue-haired Eldori, had a little green dragon mounted on her shoulder. Alongside her on a nightmare, dark horses with flames for manes, was a red-haired fire mage, waving at the crowd and blowing kisses.
Below the half-elf girl rode a creature called a Telkori, known as the children of the wild. The boy rode atop a donkey and wore a thick set of armor. The visor of his helm had a horrible habit of always falling down over his face, for it was too big, and he was too lazy to get it fixed.
There was another young woman in the party atop a chestnut-colored mare adorned in leather gear. She had the appearance of the tactical soldiers of the East and she even carried an assault rifle mounted on her back. Her armor had layers of holographic ornaments in graceful shapes and designs. They were for aesthetic purposes though. The left half her fiery red hair was shaven off to reveal the tattoos and runes she had etched to her scalp which went down her face and neck. The crowned gray lion of the royal House of Dalton was emblazoned on her chestplate in between the black pouches holding extra magazines for her rifle. A Meowri with a wide-brimmed hat sat on her shoulder.
Riding on a hoverboard was a young boy with a flamberge strapped to his back. He did all sorts of tricks like flips and spins to get the attention of the other kids.
And the last two members were dashing young swordsman. The blonde one was outfitted in lavish enameled armor and the dark-haired one wore a leather jacket, jeans, a beanie, and glowing, neon red beats. A shadow flew over them. The frightened children pointed up at the sky at a dragon flying overhead with scales of emerald.
"Don't be scared," said the knight. "He's with me. He's harmless."
"A dragon rider!" the guard at the front of the castle said with excitement. He waited anxiously for the Summoner and her company. They, at last, reached the top of the dirt road.
"Open the gates!" a guard called from the warmth of his guardhouse over the alcove. The steel gates began to rise up to allow Avellana and her companions passage into the castle.
"Mover your horse aside!" the guard shouted at Arthur to move Mandaril out of the Summoner's way.
Arthur did as he was told, but Madaril was so huge he felt like he was going to fall off the cliff behind him.
Lord Karl Devlin came out of the castle with his wife Donna. Ser Arthur took this moment to step forward and reveal himself quickly before the Summoner and her party could beat him to Lord Karl.
"My Lord!" cried Arthur.
"What do you want?" the lord of the castle replied in a nasty manner.
"I am honored to meet you at last. I have traveled afar to seek you. I am Ser Arthur Arledge."
"If you're looking for a job as a guard then begone, for I have no need for more swordsmen."
"If I may, My Lord."
"Be quick, the Summoner approaches!"
"I served Ser Baron Kingsly. I believe he was an acquaintance of your son."
"Ser Baron Kingsly, yes," Lord Karl said stroking his chin. His bright green eyes alight with impatience, yet they had a spark of intrigue as well. "He was a companion of my son, Duke. I am to understand he lost his life in the Massacre of Black Mountain. How did you come to know him then?"
"I was his squire. He and I knew the battle was lost after Prince Talion was captured, so we fled down the mountain. But as we did, he was gravely wounded and fell ill. Just before he departed to the Gardens, he knighted me and gave me his horse and arms. Then he told me to travel here to Devlinshire to seek you for service."
"As I said I have no need for any knights. But a friend of Ser Baron is welcome here. I can promise you food and drink and some care for your horse, but just for the night. I believe a reward is in order for surviving the massacre under the underhanded deeds of the Fat King. You shall have your purse filled with twenty silver pieces. I have many serving girls here as well, you are welcome to them is that is what you desire."
"Thank you, My Lord, but what I seek is to be under your service as a full-fledged knight."
"This is the best I can give, you, Ser. Take the offer or don't; it matters not to me. You'd best make your way inside. And see that you put on some decent attire. You may be a hedge-knight, but you are a knight no less. And I cannot have a knight in rags in my castle while Lady Avellana is here."
Arthur thanked him then proceeded inside the castle to the courtyard where every soldier and servant in the keep were standing at attention waiting for the Summoner and her group. They arrived at the castle gates at last. A trumpet broke the silence of the early morning once Avi rode into the courtyard, beautifully decorated with banners and streamers of crimson and gold.
"All hail Lady Avellana Lofnmagni Ethelfleda. Chosen one of the goddess Saafani, the Summoner of Dragons."
"HAIL!" everyone shouted.
"Hail!" Arthur cheered along with them.
"Thank you all for your warm welcome," Avi said with delight. "I promise I will not trouble you for too long. I will find my new dragon and be quick."
"Nonsense," laughed Lord Karl. "You are always welcome here and you may stay at your heart's desire. We will do our best to make your stay comfortable and wish you the best of luck on your journey in becoming the Royal Summoner of High King Yuri."
"Where's the food, I'm famished!" cried the little Telkori boy.
Lord Karl laughed, clutching his belly. "At once, little master. But first we shall show you to your rooms."
"You ladies may come with me to the tower in the east wing," said Lady Donna. "And your rooms are in the chambers of the west wing, gentlemen."
"Thank you, My Lady," said the dragon rider. "Come everyone. Let's get out of this rain."
Arthur watched as they got off their horses. Suddenly, Avellana's eye found Arthurs. It was a quick stare, but she took the time to smile at him. She nodded her head and waved hello before following her champion knight, the Leogai warrior, into the castle.
Arthur felt such a warmth that not even the bitter cold breath of all the Ice Barrier monsters put together could faze him. That smile. The way she looked at him. Arthur could break into a dance at any moment.
"I think I might have found my meal ticket to becoming a full-fledged knight, Mandaril." Ser Arthur said to his horse. "And the Summoner of Dragons is the one."
Avi
The Summoner of Dragons found no sleep that night, and she sat on a wooden stool on the balcony of her chambers, beautifully prepared for her stay in the castle with the Devlins. Her time with them had been rather charming. Avi had met new people while at the feast. She shook hands with more knights than she had ever read in her story books. Many of them begging for her to take them as her new companion, but Ser Gerhalos was a wall of anger and severity that they backed off. The only way for them to join her was to challenge him to a duel, and not a duel of cards but swords. They dared not cross him and let him be.
Avi groaned and rubbed her belly. The feast was a little too large for her liking. Her stomach was so full it brought discomfort more than it did satisfaction. She sang a sorrowful song of the departure of the dragons during the Inquisition as she brushed her golden hair while watching the rising sun's orange glow get swallowed by the night.
The dragons fought to keep their lives
The land afire and trembling
The air quivered with battle cries
The grass was red, the mountains weep
And arrows sang through crimson skies
Her voice pierced the black clouds deep
Return my children, return to me!
Escape this world so foul and cruel
Your mother calls, take wing!
The axes fell, and swords cut deep
Aren-du-el! Aren-du-el!
The goddess cried in ancient tongue
She wept and saw her dragons suffering
From wailing woods and sobbing seas
Her babies slain upon cheers of victory
Return my children, return to me!
Escape this world so foul and cruel
Your mother calls, take wing!
And Elven-rivers ran red with gore
The ground was soaked with dragon tears
No such sorrow seen before
Their hearts were gored with whistling spears
And Termnnia saw them no more
Return my children, return to me!
Escape this world so foul and cruel
Your mother calls, take wing!
"I remember that day," said the thundering voice of her Ancient Dragon, Arvas.
Avi jumped upon hearing his voice. Her beast was outside the castle watching her as she primped herself before the mountains in the distance donning black cloaks in the waning light.
"I am so sorry," pleaded Avi. "I had no idea you were there in the Battle of Flames and Tears."
"You have no need to apologize, My Lady," Arvas said stomping closer towards her. "The sun sets upon the earth, however, you remain awake. Does something trouble you?"
"Aye," she said, sadly. She was still licking the wounds of her defeat at the hands of the scantily clad Summoner, Lady Arietta. Even though Avi had been successful in training her dragons and earning many victories against other summoners throughout the months, the defeat against Arietta stung her awfully. The screams of her young companion, Peter Lionbane, still rang in her ear holes.
FIGHT! FIGHT!
"You must not grieve over that loss," Arvas counseled her. "You must learn from it and train your dragons to grow stronger."
"Now I have another dragon to train," Avi said, grasping the stone. "I can't wait to meet it."
When the sun finally rose into the sky and cast its warm light onto the soggy countryside, Avi was forced awake by Fira. Avi grunted. It felt like she shut her eyes but for a minute. Her body wailed for her to get back to sleep, but Fira had no patience for her impudence and was forced to pour cold water on Avi's head. Avi darted out of the covers coughing and shivering.
"CUNT!" she shouted at Fira.
"Now, now, Dove, you mustn't use such foul language. I though Ser Gehalos raised you better than that."
Blair jumped out of bed. She saw the ordeal and was not pleased. "Hey, now! If you don't want her getting all angry at ya, don't be such a bitch."
Aldara wagged her finger in front of Blair's face. She took a bar of soap out of her pocket and shoved it in her mouth before walking away.
"Pitoowee!" Blair went, spitting it out.
"Why have the Daltons cursed me with such a companion!" Avi retorted pushing away her soggy bangs off her heart-shape face.
"Up," Fira commanded, activating the holographic ornamentation of her armor, making her glow bright orange. "I will see you at breakfast. Don't be late, Dove."
"She's got a lot of nerve!" Aldara said, helping Avi out of bed.
"Well serves me right for staying up so late," Avi said sitting at the edge of her bed. "But I'll get my revenge on her yet!"
"Lady Avi seeking revenge," Trish smirked while using a towel to dry Avi's neck and chest. "That's a new one. And here I thought you were a girl filled to the brim with patience."
"Fira and Arietta have sucked it all dry," Avi snarled. "Ser Gerhalos as well. He is way too overprotective of me."
"You really want common rabble to ride alongside you, Summoner?" Blair asked. She walked back to her bed and put on her trousers and her belt with ammo pouches and med-kits. "He wants only the best at your side. The only reason why that showoff Ser Damien is in our party is that you allowed him to. Ser Gerhalos respects your wishes thereby letting him stay. But if you ask me, I believe that despite him being one of the few dragon riders in Termnnia, he is all flash and no show."
"It's time to test his skills in battle then," said Avi. "I wonder how he fares against the tests in the mountain. For that matter, what can I hope to do?"
"You leave those tests to us," said Trish, putting on her leather jerkin. "You worry about summoning those dragons of yours when the time comes."
Avi dressed into her elegant white gown and then dried her soggy hair before brushing it a hundred times to make it glow.
"Lady Avellana," Ser Gerhalos walked into the room. His chainmail and armor clinking and clanking with every step and his feet shook the room with each step. He had a package in his hands wrapped in white paper and topped with a red bow. Another present was stacked on top of it, but it was wrapped in black and tied with a gold ribbon.
"What is this?" Avi asked.
"They are gifts."
"I can see that, but from who?"
"Well, the little black one is from Master Yugi and the Princes of the Alliance."
"Oh!" exclaimed Avi taking the gift. There was a note attached to it.
Greetings, Avellana,
We wish you luck on your journey in finding the dragons of Saafani. This ring is from both Yugi and us as a token of our faith in you. May it bring you good fortune in the long road ahead and guide you to me. We look forward to meeting you one day, Summoner of Dragons.
Best Wishes.
-Master Yugi Muto the King of Games.
Prince Michael Dalton of Eredas
Prince Anastasio Trevelyan of Mondé
Prince Marcel of Akuuda
Prince Shim Jaeyoung of Azumé
Prince Jon Jahangir of Riftgaard
Prince Ryon Balor of Katina
"Oh, they shouldn't have!" Avi said tearing open the wrapping to discover a velvet box. She opened it and discovered a ring in the shape of a dragon's head that could fit the length of her entire finger. The beast was made of platinum and veined with gold and was crowned by a diamond glittering in all the colors of the rainbow.
She quickly put it on and felt a surge of mana rush through her veins. She groaned with pleasure, feeling recharged.
"By the Goddess, what have they put in this thing?" she asked while examining the ring.
"It is a magical ring that boosts your mana. Now you shouldn't have too much trouble summoning your beasts. With that enchanted staff and hairpin also on your person, it wouldn't surprise me if you could call two."
"That would be amazing to do," Avi said, looking at the ring one last time. "And what of that one? You held it rather tight."
"I don't like this, Lady Avi." Ser Gerhalos shook his head. "I say we burn it."
"Why?"
"It's from King Steffan Ungard of Naralia and Archbishop of the Church of Yeyu."
Avi gasped. "How does he know I'm here?"
"I do not know how, but somehow somebody in Domino intercepted the messenger boy sending you the gift from Yuri and Yugi. They must have told them to deliver this to you as well. And knowing the radicals of Yeyu, it was likely with a knife to his throat."
Avi took the gift regardless. Inside was a pendant made of myrrh and gold in the likeness of a dragon encircling the Eye of Yeyu, and there was a roll of parchment on the side. She opened it and shook her head as her eyes read the words repeatedly.
"What is it?"
"It's a sonnet," said Avi. "And beneath it is a message from Steffan himself. Apparently, he wants to meet with me in Domino City for the peace conference with the King of Eredas himself, Eldon."
"A peace conference?" Ser Gerhalos spat. "When did the Yeyunists start calling for peace? I say this is a trap, Lady Avi. His spawn from the Church persecutes you at every turn. They will kill you before you can ever reach Domino. Heed not his invitation and let us continue our journey finding the dragons."
"I don't know Ser Gerhalos. He even asked to join the princely alliance and join High King Yuri in the Termnnian Table."
"He's trying too hard to gain your favor," Ser Gerhalos growled. "His father sent the entire Naralian army south just looking for you. I say he's using a different tactic. A friendlier approach. You walk into his conference, and he will grab for you."
"The best soldiers in Termnnia protect Domino City, and let us not forget King Eldon thinks highly of me, as does his son Prince Michael. They would never allow King Steffan to do me harm."
"Let us search for your dragons first, My Lady," Ser Gerhalos said, taking Avi's hand. "We need not listen to King Steffan's invitation."
"Why must you worry about me so much, Ser Gerhalos?" Avi pouted like a spoiled child.
"Avi…please," he got down on one knee. "We travel a dangerous road. I may be skilled with a blade, but I am still mortal. Something could happen to me and…forgive me for being so stern with every mercenary, warrior, knight, and whoever-with-a-blade that comes to you seeking companionship. I just…I just want to make sure you're taken care of."
Avi grinned. She knew Ser Gerhalos only meant well. Over the years that she had known her knight of the beast folk, he had become the closest thing she had to call father. Avi was the girl from nowhere after all. She recalled herself walking the dark streets of Normandia as though walking out of the darkness from total nothingness. And the man and woman who cared for her shooed her out of the house when she was sixteen. Even after finding Arvas in Naralia and gained her fame as the Summoner of Dragons, it felt like the kings and lords only used her as a means to their own end, so she fled them and was found and rescued by her champion in the swamps of the Eldermoors.
"I know you mean well, Ser," Avi patted his large golden-furred hand. "I did not mean to shout. But I can't know my true potential if I have everyone handing me everything on a silver platter and making decisions for me. If I truly am to grow out there, I have to do things myself."
"I understand," said Ser Gerhalos. "But I will still test those who wish to get close to you. And forgive me if I don't get along with that Ser Damien."
Avi giggled. "Getting jealous my champion?"
"Why should I? I could crush his head with no trouble."
Avi admitted he was right. He fought back the members of the faith militant of Yeyu when they came to collect her in Princess Evelyn's castle. He bit one's head off and used his bare hands to crush the head of another without so much as a squeeze. If Ser Damien ever grew foolish enough to challenge Ser Gerhalos, he would most likely lose.
Ser Gerhelos rose up and offered his arm to take Avi downstairs for breakfast. Avi smiled and got up from her seat to follow his lead downstairs to the throne room. As they approached the lower levels of the castle, Avi could smell sausages roasting over a fire and the sweet scent of honey bread and hot chocolate.
"The Summoner approaches!" Ser Gerhalos shouted to the castle crier, a stout fellow in a purple garb and a black hat with a white feather.
A blast of trumpets announced Avi's arrival, disrupting the silence of the morning. The elk antler chandeliers cast a warm glow over the throne room, and the stained glass windows, still dotted with rain, added color to the tables
Lord Karl Devil arose to greet her from his cushioned throne at the dais in front of the fireplace. His guests stood up and applauded the Summoner while she walked arm in arm with Ser Gerhalos into the throne room towards the dais to take her place alongside the lord of the castle.
"Welcome, welcome," Lord Karl said taking Avi from Ser Gerhalos's arm. He took her hand and kissed it. "I was beginning to think you weren't hungry."
"I am fine, My Lord, thank you."
"Come sit," Donna said, showing Avi to her seat.
Avi sat down and waited patiently for her food to arrive and looked around the throne room at the guests. Some of them were faces she hadn't seen the night before. There were energetic groups of knights and adventurers here dressed in armor and garments that stood out over the other guests in the castle. There was a group of youngsters playing Duel Monsters, betting Star Chips and gemstones. They were all no more than twenty with the youngest being eighteen. They each wore matching scaled armor enameled in dark gray with an emerald shamrock on the large pauldrons and etched in emerald threads on the back of their black capes. One of the lads stood over the table holding up a banner which also bore the shamrock in a field of dark gray with a vertical green stripe in the middle.
One the table to the eastern side of the throne room sat a group of little men. They were gnomes from the Isle of Elder Rock adorned in plain steel plate. Their leader was wearing a hog-shaped helmet plumed with white while he threw dice at a game board with figurines of Duel Monsters. It seemed they were playing Dungeon Dice Monsters, the invention of Lord Karl's son, Duke Devlin.
"Go dice roll!" the little gnome shouted throwing his dice at the board.
In the middle of the hall sat a young boy with messy red hair and a face full of freckles. He happily ate his breakfast surrounded by heavily armored warriors and what appeared to be his older brother, red-haired and freckled as well, stood above him with his arms crossed. He did not look happy to see Avi, and when his piercing green eyes met hers, she quickly turned away.
Lord Karl explained that they were all Summoners with their companions. Many of them had traveled here to see Avi, not to befriend her, but to outdo her. The boy who looked at her fiercely was named Ser Jack of Pennyhill, and his little brother was the gifted Summoner that he and his armored warriors were traveling with. He was not pleased with Avi getting special treatment and even an endorsement from Master Yu-Gi-Oh. Then again, neither were the other Summoners. They studied for years to become what they are, but Avi was just handed her gifts overnight by the goddesses themselves, and they found that unfair. And word spread of her defeat to Arietta making them feel quite confident they could take down the mountain giant before she could.
But despite this, not all of them felt ill will towards her the way Ser Jack did.
The company of men in with the shamrock emblem was the Knights of Green Market, a small kingdom in the realm of Rimgarden. The Summoner leading them was a bald man with a bushy black beard called Thomas Rein of Flowerhall.
"The competition is fierce," said Lord Karl, raising his cup to his lips.
"Competition?" Avi said fiercely.
"These Summoners came from far and wide just to beat you." Ser Karl set down his cup. "I had no hand in inviting them here, but they are Summoners, and therefore must be given home and food by the host. It is the law, for they are closer to the Goddesses than any in the world. None more than you, it seems. Saafani, Goddess of Dragons chose you to be her Summoner."
"I know," said Avi. "And it looks like some of those others down there hate me for it."
"True, they had to toil for many years of their lives to achieve the gift of summoning monsters from their planes of existence, but sometimes fate has its way of blessing those with gifts. I do not know what it is about you that caused Saafani to have a change of heart with the dragons, but if it means that these noble creatures can return and safeguard us from the oncoming storm of the Black Continent, then so be it."
Avi nodded in agreement. The True Dragons were part of the reason why Orcs never set foot into Termnnia. They were too powerful to fight alone, but with thousands taking to the air, there was no hope in fighting them. Saafani chose her for the task of seeing if Man was worthy enough of living with dragons once again. With the current events taking place it did not surprise her Saafani came to the decision to finally allow a Summoner to call her children into the world of Men. The Church of Holy Fire was slowly dying, and the main kingdoms of Termnnia were coming together in a grand alliance like the days of old.
As she at her food she was being watched by Ser Arthur who was sitting alone at the table closest to Lord Karl's dais. This could be his moment to be named a full-fledged knight. For, after all, Summoners had the authority to name men knights. With such a close tie to the divines, how could they not?
Ser Arthur knew he didn't have much time to make himself known to her. He slammed his tankard on the table and approached the stairway to the dais in the stone platform where it stood. But he was blocked by Ser Gerhalos.
"If I may, good Ser, I wish to speak with the Summoner."
"You may speak to me," snarled Ser Gerhalos. "I am her mouth and eyes."
"Please, My Lord…"
"I am not a lord, hedge-knight. Now move back, or I will force you back."
"I just want to be a part of this company."
"Get in line, boy, you and half of Termnnia wants to be Lady Avellana's best friend right now."
"I am nineteen!" Arthur said impatiently. "Don't call me boy!"
"Then step back, girl!" Ser Gerhalos stomped forward.
Ser Arthur took out his sword. It was a family heirloom passed down to him by his father. The guard and handle were blackened iron, and the pommel had a red jewel encased in the center.
Ser Gerhalos unsheathed his sword from his back. The blade was taller than Arthur, wider as well, and without so much as a fight, he yielded.
"I didn't think so," said Ser Gerhalos, sheathing his sword. "Lady Avellana faces dangers far worse than myself. If you cannot handle battle with me you have no place in her company. Now be gone with you!"