Age of Mortals - Knights of Solamnia (1st Summer)

[Creamsteak]

Tristram spurs Blackwind towards Uthar, as the sun reddens approaching the sea. His had not been a long travel, though he had been on patrol north of Thelgaard Keep when the messenger arrived to inform him of the court, and when he came back it was already too late to leave, so he waited for the following dawn.
Galloping on the dusty road, his thoughts go back to the last court. He was called to tell the Council about Cadman's death, so that Aurnia could officially inherit his title and lands. Then he asked permission to take 'uth Rhys' as his family name, to honor his lost father, and explained his decision to keep on following the ways of mysticism. Tristram devotedly honors and prays to the deities of Light, but if he had to choose the one closest to his heart, it would have been Paladine, who sacrificed his immortality. He told the Council that by remaining a mystic, he bears the mourning for the fallen god, and he remains true to the way he was trained, looking within himself for the light of honor and wisdom, and the warmth of courage and valor. Since they seemed convinced back then, he hopes this issue won't be brought up again when he'll ask to be tested for the Sword.
He wonders if Aurnia already passed some tests too. She has always been so quick of mind and wit, she could have already passed some wisdom tests, he thinks. And now she is so beautiful too. He left a cute girl going to the war, only to find a charming lady when he came back. He wishes Cadman could have seen her as she is now.
That reminds him of the promise he made to his master and friend, to always protect her in his stead. It has been some weeks since he last seen her, but he often surprised himself thinking about her, her golden curls, her open smile...
The reins snap, and Blackwind runs faster towards the town.

. . . ______ . . .​

When Tristram arrives in Uthar, it's about noon. He brings Blackwind to the stables of his inn, and makes sure he receives fresh water and good fodder, for he strained him a bit during the travel. Then he checks for his room in the Auroch, carries to the second floor his few belongings and leaves there his shield. After many days on the field, he feels naked without his armor.
Looking from his window he sees the streets are swarming with people preparing for tonight's event. He decides to leave the inn as well, have lunch, and look for Aurnia, that wrote him she would have been in the castle.
Along the road, he notices a young female knight enjoying the shadow of a tree. He recognizes the Silvershield crest on her tunic, but can't remember her name, so he only nods to her before going on along the street.
The smell of warm bread makes him find the baker, but he decides to stop later and continues to the castle. At the gates he asks for Aurnia Shatterstone, that is probably waiting for him.
"My name is Tristram uth Rhys." he says.

You are easily directed into the hallway just outside Aurnia's room. Outside the door, there is a dapper little gentleman with slightly greying hair shouting through the doorway at her. He pays no heed to your approach though.

 

[Creamsteak]

Merritt wanders from tavern to tavern, (including a stop at the bakery) sampling the food. A bowl of stew here, a loaf of bread there, a bit of early season fruit, a mug o' ale (mead/stout/whatever). At each locale he engages the host with talk, first by mentioning how good the food is, how he wished he had so good on campaign. This should draw in a local or two for an exchange of news.

Merrit will relate what he knows from his journey back from Knightlund, and try to squeeze out anything about who is here. Not that he really knows too many Knights in the political arenas, but information is power.*

Then after a bit of chat he wanders to the next tavern, over to the bakery, until he has been everwhere in this small town.


Well, the Hampton is the last stop. Little walk will settle breakfast in just fine, and after I'm done there, I should have plenty of time to change into whatever is 'formal' hereabouts.

With that thought, Merritt wanders on down the road.


OOC *I seriously do not expect some list. Just note that Merritt gets some names or not. Unless it is terribly important to his family (like a rival or ally). Or his pathetic Knowledge: Nobility pieces some vital clues out of it

When you pass by the bakers, you are witness to a catastrophy in the making. It appears that smoke is rolling out of the windows and doorways. A man with a pair of local peasants can be seen in front of the door facing the roadway, gasping for his breath. The situation seems to have mother Reed gasping for her own breath, and she looks like she may just pass out from exertion in her labored breaths. Ther is another person who is in the same predicament as yourself, coming upon the bakers just now.

 

[Creamsteak]

Just checking to make sure I have this right:

Aleahea and Owain are conversing over breakfast at the Hampton. Havn't moved from there yet, correct?

Aerion and Thom Uth Verain are having a similar discourse in the barracks mealroom?

Last, did I miss anyone?

 

[Ferrix]

"I have little enough that I need to pursue myself; I intend to enter the Order of High Sorcery, and while I need the Order head's permission to do so, I foresee little trouble there. I'm mostly here to see what others intend to do, and protect my family's interests where necessary."

Aerion nods subtletly once Thom finishes speaking, polishing off the last piece of his steak, he excuses himself for a moment and returns the plate to the kitchen staff and gets some water for himself and then sits once more opposite Thom. Taking a drink he thinks to himself, a wizard as well as a Knight, definately not what I was expecting. And one wishing to enter the Order of High Sorcery as well. Placing the mug down upon the table he smiles and says, "well, I imagine they'd be happy to have an ally in the Order, although who can say these days."

OOC: nope didn't miss me or thom, glad to be rolling again

 

[Paxus Asclepius]

"We cannot afford to lose any potential allies, and the Orders of High Sorcery are certainly not inconsequential. My hope is only that no prejudice against wizardry still holds strength; after all, Solinari is as much a god of the light as Kiri-Jolith."

 

[Lichtenhart]

"Excuse me, isn't this Lady Shatterstone's room? I'd like to speak with her, unless she is in too much of a hurry." Tris offer his hand to the gentleman "Tristram uth Rhys"

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Aurnia Shatterstone: Human/Female (Gestalt:Knight of Solamnia/Divine Bard)

Aurnia gray blue eyes go distant as she her mind processes all the information but it doesn’t take long for her eyes to flash annoyance as she mutters unladylike under her breath as she questions the fact he didn’t just open the door.

Carefully of her tombs she slides from the bed and moves over to the door, opening it up in one swift motion. Her annoyance is hidden behind her glasses, which had slide halfway down her small noses, and her typical diplomatic smile, “I don’t see the need to have this conversation through a closed door, you’ll wake half the floor to be sure...”

Only then did she realize that a familiar figure stood behind the old servant, her diplomatic smile turns into a huge grin as she moves by the servant and gives the familiar man a huge hug, “Oh! Tristram, you’ve made it. How was my big brothers trip?”

 

[Lichtenhart]

Tristram welcomes Aurnia in his arms, lifting her up and twirling her around before putting her down with a laugh.
"Well, little sister, it was short and uneventful, though I strained Blackwind a bit. I was afraid to be late, and in fact it looks like I am, since someone is already asking for you. Did you break many hearts while I wasn't around?" he jokes.
"I missed you." he says, looking straight in her eyes, his voice not more than a whisper, then his smile brightens again. "Nobody in my patrol could tell a decent story around the fire. I hope you found something interesting in your books" he pushes her glasses back at their place "because you'll have to make up for the time lost."
He finally lets her go, making her spin a last time as if they were dancing. "You're gorgeous, Aurnia. How do you do?"

 

[Brother Shatterstone]

Aurnia Shatterstone: Human/Female (Gestalt:Knight of Solamnia/Divine Bard)

Aurnia tries to suppress an unknightly giggle as Tristram spins her around the hallway. Finally when her feet touch the ground she fights through the blush and her own confusion to try and answer all of her brother’s questions, “Break any hearts? No brother, not at all… I found a new tale or two so making up for lost time shouldn’t be an issue.”

A gratefully but embarrassed smile graces her face as he pushed up her glasses, “Thanks. I’m far from gorgeous… Just me.”

With a worried look she touches his forehead, “Brother, are you feeling okay?”

 

[Lichtenhart]

Tristram smiles as he sees Aurnia blush, but his smile fades and he lowers his eyes as she asks him if everything's right.
"Not yet, I suppose. I probably need some more time to come to grips with it."
'It' needs no further explanation for them. 'It' is the war, with all its horrors; 'it' was the feeling of being useless, a healer that can't heal, when his magic was torn away from him; 'it' was Cadman bleeding to death in his arms; 'it' was the silent tomb of his father, gone without a last farewell. But she already knows all these things. She always knew his heart even better than himself...
With a sigh, Tris wipes bad thoughts away, and looking at her he smiles again.
"But don't let your sulky brother ruin your day. Hurry up, you shouldn't keep people waiting. I'll wait for you to have breakfast."