Post by Iorveth Duskstrider on Jan 30, 2021 12:38:35 GMT
Best Served Hot
“That's it?!”
From among the fey steps a warrior, clad in golden armor, the wreath of summer blooms given to the victorious soldiers of the Glorious Company still fresh on his wrist. A worried murmur trickles through the crowd, like water unbidden, finding its way through every crack.
“This person murders one of our own, and she is let go?!”
The warrior’s voice rings out among the marbled hall, carrying notes of disbelief, anger - and pain.
“You forget yourself, Iorveth.” the Horselord Eachthighern cuts him off, the proud pegasus stomping his hooves in indignation.
“No! Where is the Queen’s justice? Commander Morningdew has been murdered! A suspect detained, at the scene of the crime, the cruel blade that struck the blow in hand! Even now, Arvel’s blood is hot and sticky still, on the accused’s very hands!! And she was let GO?! What madness is this?!”
“Enough”
The command cracks like thunder, the summer storm washing down from the High Places, an inescapable flood. Titania, Queen of the Summer Court, fixes Iorveth in her gaze, and her wrath is more terrible than any spell or monstrous foe.
“You disgrace yourself. You disgrace your brothers- and sisters-in-arms of the Glorious Company. Worst of all, you disgrace the memory of your fallen commander. Arvel was my trusted advisor. Greatest of all my warriors. But I will not rush to judgement. And judgement is mine. Mine alone! Stand down, or be cast from this Court.”
Iorveth stands quivering, struggling under the weight of attention of the great Warrior Queen.
“Kneel”
Her will slowly crushes him. Tears gather in his eyes, his lip trembles from the effort. And yet he stands.
“This is no justice. The murderer walks free! You protect this mayfly over one of our own! You are no Queen!!”
Her wrath strikes like lightning. The pain is indescribable. His vision goes white and he feels himself ripped off his feet. Cast away. The sensation of weightlessness seems to last forever. And then the ground hugs him in a crushing embrace.
He comes to in a dirty alleyway. His head rings. He knows this place - the city of Daring Heights on the material plane. Where the murderer walks free.
The Queen’s parting words still echo in his head, and he is sure that they will never leave him.
“You are banished from this Court. You are a disgrace to my warriors. I strip you of your rank, your title, and the gifts I gave you. You are not worthy of them.”
He flexes his muscles - weak. He stretches his legs - sluggish. He tries to recall his regimental battlemagic - it will not come to him.
“Prove yourself worthy, Iorveth. Forge your hot temper to cold purpose. When you have shown yourself ready to prostrate before me, I will consider to lift the ban off your head. Until then, suffer the fate of the outcast.”
Iorveth Duskstrider rises to his feet. The Queen has taken everything from him. And Merla Copperkettle, the Queen’s adopted daughter, took away the only one he ever truly cared for.
He stretches his neck, clears his throat and releases a single, clarion note. The air reverberates with raw power. They haven't taken everything then, he smiles.
“...When you have shown yourself ready to prostrate before me…”
He spits the foul taste of his banishment into the dirt.
“Piss on that!”
Disclaimer: In line with LRC CoCs, all RP has to be consensual. Both players agreed to the terms of the RP, and the LRC ban of PvP with lasting effects/stemming from RP conflict be observed. Always RP safely kids.
The world resumes. The blade falls. Assembled fey gasp (one faints again). The glimmering steel stops an inch from Merla’s neck. Perfectly still, Titania speaks out to the whole crowd now. “A crime has been committed yet the case is shrouded still. I cannot in good conscience pass a verdict now.”
She looks directly at the halfling at the end of her sword, face reflected in the steel. “Go from this place. Do not return each month as planned before. You will be summoned when a verdict’s reached.” The blade withdraws, and Titania sits back upon her throne.
Merla, her radiance undimmed, stares at the Summer Queen for a moment longer, the echoing silence of the Great Seelie Fae’s words reverberating through the hall. The gathered fey look back and forth between their Queen and Lady Merla, a mix of disbelief, apprehension and uncertainty on many a face.
Merla’s eyes take on a hard edge of determination as she steps through the double doors of night to leave. The Daughter of Summer mounts her pegasus companion, both soaring into the night sky. The assembled court remains silent, unsure what just happened, the room pregnant with anticipation.
“That's it?!”
“This person murders one of our own, and she is let go?!”
“Enough”
He comes to in a dirty alleyway. His head rings. He knows this place - the city of Daring Heights on the material plane. Where the murderer walks free.
The Queen’s parting words still echo in his head, and he is sure that they will never leave him.
He stretches his neck, clears his throat and releases a single, clarion note. The air reverberates with raw power. They haven't taken everything then, he smiles.
“...When you have shown yourself ready to prostrate before me…”
He spits the foul taste of his banishment into the dirt.
